Erdogan: 'Netanyahu's genocidal government acts before the eyes of the whole world'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused what he terms Netanyahu's "genocidal government" of continuing illegal actions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

"The illegal actions of Netanyahu's genocidal government continue in the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem before the eyes of the whole world. The existence of a sovereign Palestinian state is being undermined. It is impossible to ignore or remain indifferent to this," Erdogan emphasized during a joint press conference in Ankara with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

The Turkish leader called for the swift establishment of necessary conditions to initiate the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and to create a secure environment in the enclave.

"I want to emphasize again that supporting Palestine is the common responsibility of all humanity, especially the Muslim world," Erdogan stated. He added that Turkey will continue to "decisively defend the Palestinian cause on all platforms." Erdogan also noted that Ankara unconditionally rejects any provocative actions aimed at changing the status quo surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque and other holy sites.

He assured that Turkey would persist in pursuing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and with territorial integrity.