Politics
Türkiye, 7 nations condemn Israel’s Al-Aqsa restrictions during Ramadan
Foreign ministers from eight Muslim-majority countries, including Türkiye, condemned Israel on March 11 for restricting Muslim worshippers’ access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, urging the international community to pressure Israel to end the restrictive measures.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates criticized Israeli authorities for continuing to close the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim worshippers during the holy month of Ramadan.
The ministers said security restrictions limiting access to Jerusalem’s Old City and its places of worship constitute a violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as the longstanding historical and legal status quo governing the site.
They strongly rejected the illegal and unjustified measures, accusing Israel of continuing provocative actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque and against worshippers.
The statement stressed that Israel holds no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The ministers also reiterated that the entire Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, covering approximately 144 dunams, is exclusively a place of worship for Muslims.
They emphasized that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, which operates under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the sole legal authority responsible for administering the site and regulating entry.
The ministers called on Israel to immediately reopen the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, lift access restrictions to Jerusalem’s Old City and allow Muslim worshippers to freely enter the mosque.
They also urged the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to stop what they described as ongoing violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Since the start of the Gaza war on Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have tightened restrictions on Palestinians traveling from the occupied West Bank to East Jerusalem, significantly limiting access to the city.
Many Palestinians view these measures as part of a broader Israeli policy aimed at changing the demographic and cultural character of East Jerusalem, home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, by diminishing its Arab and Islamic identity.
Since 2003, Israeli authorities have also permitted Israeli settlers to enter the compound on a near-daily basis, with access typically suspended only on Fridays and Saturdays.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is regarded as Islam’s third-holiest site. Jews refer to the same area as the Temple Mount, which they believe was the location of two ancient Jewish temples.
Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and later declared the entire city its capital in 1980, a move that has not been recognized by the international community.
Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization on Wednesday made public a previously classified document from Nov. 11, 1964, detailing the stay of Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in the country.
“The Iranian guest has arrived in Türkiye, and it has been decided that he will reside in Bursa. The house where the guest will stay and other arrangements concerning him will be personally handled by the Bursa Yuva Directorate,” the document said.
The file was sent by National Security Service chief Ziya Selışık to the Istanbul Central Office during Khomeini’s stay in Türkiye under MIT surveillance between Nov. 4, 1964, and Oct. 5, 1965.
“The necessary written and verbal instructions have been sent to the Bursa Yuva Directorate. The alias ‘Belli’ will be used in encrypted and other correspondence concerning the guest. Submitted for your information,” the document concluded.
The document is available in the Document section under the Special Collection tab on MIT’s official website.
Khomeini was an Iranian Shiite cleric, political leader and the architect of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the U.S.-backed Shah and led to the creation of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He became a prominent opponent of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the 1960s, criticizing his Western-backed reforms and calling for an Islamic system of governance based on clerical rule.
Khomeini was forced into exile in 1964 after his outspoken opposition, spending years in Türkiye, Iraq and later France before returning to Iran to lead the revolution.
Days after she uttered a warning against “Turkish influence” in Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is still the talk of the town in Turkish politics.
Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the government ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), criticized von der Leyen on Tuesday during his party’s parliamentary group meeting. “These words are not a blunder. It is a reflection of arrogance and double standards toward Türkiye hidden in this mindset,” Bahçeli said.
In remarks at an event in Germany’s Hamburg, the European Commission president has mentioned her support for EU enlargement and said: “We must succeed in completing the European continent so that it is not influenced by Russia, Türkiye, or China.” She drew criticism from Turkish officials who said the characterization did not reflect the country’s status as a key partner and NATO ally.
Bahçeli noted that critics of von der Leyen in Europe pointed out the error of her remarks by citing that they were “geopolitically incorrect” and “detached from reality.” “Same critics reminded her that Türkiye was a key ally for Europe’s security, a vital line for energy and resources and a crucial partner for migration management and regional balance.”
“This is not a basic polemic. We see that Europe does not have a mental grasp of understanding Türkiye. For years, the European Union has distanced itself from Türkiye in terms of membership. They wagged their fingers at Türkiye under the pretext of teaching it norms and harmony, and as soon as their geopolitical needs emerged, they sought to treat Türkiye as a buffer in terms of an energy corridor, transportation line and security partnership. Yet, while speaking on equality, they reverted to their arrogant ways. This is politically immoral and lacks strategic thinking. This rhetoric will not lead to partnership, sincerity or a climate of trust,” he said.
Bahçeli emphasized that Türkiye stands at the very center of geopolitical knots, as a key point and gateway.
“The issue is not where Türkiye stands, but where the European Union is drifting. The issue is not Ankara’s direction, but Brussels’ hypocritical politics. The issue is not Türkiye’s stance, but the distorted, opportunistic and hypocritical European mindset that seeks to exclude Türkiye when convenient and use it when necessary.”
“We are the Republic of Türkiye, the embodied state of a great civilization whose roots reach deep into Asia, whose branches extend toward the European horizon, and whose shadow falls upon Africa. Those who try to confine us to a narrow space still fail to comprehend that great nations cannot be understood through maps. Türkiye is a friend, but its friendship is not something open to humiliation.
“Our direction has been shaped over centuries within a great historical line that engages with the West, knows the West, confronts it when necessary, and negotiates with it when required. Neither Brussels nor European bureaucracy can tell us where we come from, nor can they define the path Türkiye will follow. The extent, framework and depth of Türkiye’s relations with Russia, China, the Turkic world, the Islamic world, Europe and other global centers cannot be determined by fanaticism. Europe cannot do without Türkiye, neither in security, energy, migration management, transportation, nor in establishing a regional balance, but Türkiye is history, a state, memory, geography, a center, and a reality even without Europe.
“We hope that Europe will confront this ingrained arrogance embedded in its mindset. It should conduct its self-assessment not with slogans, but with reality. It should renew its language toward Türkiye not based on interests, but on rationality,” he said.
Longtime foes Türkiye and Armenia held another meeting of their joint working group, the Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.
The meeting in the eastern Turkish province of Kars was a step toward normalization between the neighbors. The ministry said that the meeting focused on rehabilitation and resumption of the Kars-Gyumri railroad, and sides affirmed that immediate resumption was essential for improving regional transportation connections.
Armenia pursues normalization efforts with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, a process accelerated particularly after Azerbaijan’s victory over Karabakh, a territory occupied by Armenia for years.
Relations began to thaw after the 2020 Karabakh war, with both sides appointing special envoys to pursue normalization talks and negotiating the reopening of their land border. So far, limited agreements have allowed third-country citizens and diplomats to cross, but a full reopening remains elusive.
Renewing relations with Armenia is especially key for Türkiye’s ambitions to serve as part of an economic chain or corridor traversing the region. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that in remarks last January. He said the Zangezur Corridor played an important part in normalizing the ties. The corridor is a proposed 43-kilometer (27-mile)route through Armenia that will connect Azerbaijan with its exclave, Nakhchivan. It is viewed as a key link between the three countries for seamless commercial ties.
A contractor testifying in a wide-ranging corruption and bribery trial involving Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) officials alleged in court that bribes were paid in connection with municipal tenders and project payments, saying the system operated through informal arrangements involving cash, apartments and commercial units.
Adem Soytekin, a contractor listed in the case file as an “organizing member,” gave testimony on the 28th day of proceedings in a case involving 414 defendants, including 92 who are in custody. The case centers on allegations of corruption, bribery and organized criminal activity linked to the municipality during the tenure of former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu.
Soytekin, who benefited from effective remorse provisions, told the court he decided to cooperate after he was “left alone” by the municipality. He alleged that contractors were pressured to make payments in order to receive money owed to them for work carried out on municipal projects.
“I paid bribes in exchange for tenders. This is how the system works,” Soytekin was quoted as saying in court.
According to Soytekin’s testimony, the general manager of IBB’s real estate subsidy KIPTAŞ, Ali Kurt, allegedly demanded $500,000 from him in connection with project payments. Soytekin said he did not have the full amount in cash at the time and asked an associate to collect $400,000, later completing the sum himself. He alleged that the money was delivered to Kurt through Murat Eren.
Soytekin said contractors believed they would not receive the payments they were owed unless they complied with the demand.
“If we had not given the money they wanted, we would not have received the money we were entitled to on time,” Soytekin told the court. “It was made clear to us that if the requested money was not paid, the funds that should have been transferred to contractors from KIPTAŞ accounts would not be sent to us for a long time.”
Soytekin also described what he called an informal payment and offsetting system inside the municipality. He said contractors were directed to build nurseries, cultural centers and dormitories, then collect their receivables through checks, apartments, shops or cash from third parties.
In another part of his testimony, Soytekin said three apartments in the Deniz Istanbul Project’s Mercan residences were transferred to his company in February 2020 without direct payment. He claimed the apartments were given in return for renovation work at the CHP’s Istanbul provincial headquarters in the Ayazağa district, a building previously linked in public debate to footage showing cash counting.
Soytekin further said municipalities often do not construct public buildings solely through their own resources, adding that projects are sometimes carried out under what he described as “voluntary donations.”
During questioning, the presiding judge asked Soytekin about his earlier statement that $1.5 million had been sent to Kurt. Soytekin initially did not provide details, prompting the judge to say the court was having difficulty communicating with him.
“Bribe, Mr. President, bribe,” Soytekin replied.
The corruption investigation into Imamoğlu, who was suspended from his post as Istanbul metropolitan mayor and jailed, was completed with the preparation of a 3,809-page indictment on Nov. 11, 2025.
In the indictment, he is identified as the alleged “leader of a criminal organization” and is accused of several offenses, including establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes, bribery, laundering criminal proceeds, fraud against public institutions and organizations, recording personal data, illegally obtaining and disseminating personal data, concealing criminal evidence, obstructing communications, damaging public property, receiving bribes, publicly spreading misleading information, extortion, laundering assets derived from crime, rigging tenders, deliberately polluting the environment, violating the Tax Procedure Law, violating the Forestry Law and violating the Mining Law.
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence ranging from 828 years and two months to 2,352 years for Imamoğlu over 142 alleged acts.
The first hearing was held on Monday, March 9. Since the start of the trial, 36 defendants have presented their defenses. No hearing was held on Friday, while proceedings continue four days a week.
Türkiye approached the U.S. and Lebanon with a proposal to help broker an arrangement involving Hezbollah, according to sources quoted by The Jerusalem Post.
The initiative would see Ankara act as a mediator and take an active role in efforts to address the Hezbollah issue, the sources noted. The proposal comes as Türkiye seeks to expand its diplomatic reach in the Middle East and position itself as a regional power broker.
The U.S. administration has not given a clear response to the proposal, with officials neither accepting nor rejecting the offer, as the sources cited.
Türkiye has sought a larger role in several regional files in recent years, including in areas close to Israel. In Gaza, Ankara had aimed to participate in a planned peacekeeping force expected to be deployed under U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, but Israel opposed the inclusion of Turkish troops.
In Syria, Türkiye has also become a significant player following the rise of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, while Israel has sought to prevent Turkish military bases from being established there.
Before the current Iran-U.S. cease-fire, Türkiye said any agreement with Iran should also include Lebanon.
Most recently, Ankara delivered 360 tons of aid to displaced civilians through the Port of Beirut.
More than 1 million people have been displaced from southern Lebanon and Beirut since the start of the war.
“Türkiye will always stand by Lebanon and its friendly people,” Turkish Ambassador Lutem said at an aid delivery event. “Türkiye has consistently supported Lebanon through its official institutions and nongovernmental organizations.”
On Saturday, Netanyahu ordered the army to escalate its attacks against Lebanon in response to Hezbollah attacks.
More than 2,500 people have been killed, over 7,750 injured and over 1.6 million displaced by Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2, according to Lebanese official figures.
A 10-day cease-fire was declared between Lebanon and Israel on April 17, though Tel Aviv repeatedly violated it.
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump said Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend the truce by three weeks following a second round of talks between the two sides in Washington.
Hezbollah has carried out a series of drone attacks targeting Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, citing Israel’s repeated violations of the truce.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz praised relations with Serbia as he attended a reception in Ankara hosted by the Serbian Embassy on Monday.
“We view Serbia as a country essential for the stability of the Balkans and believe that Turkish-Serbian relations would have good consequences for the region,” he said.
Yılmaz recalled Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s visit to Türkiye last February and noted that it was an important step in empowering bilateral relations. Yılmaz noted that he hosted Serbian Prime Minister Duro Macut during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Türkiye earlier this month and said his meeting focused on joint steps to strengthen bilateral relations.
Yılmaz noted Türkiye would be represented well in Expo 2027, which will be hosted by Serbia, and the event would provide opportunities for reinforcing bilateral commercial and cultural ties.
The vice president stated that the trade volume between the two countries rose to $3.4 billion in 2025, and both countries’ leaders set a goal of increasing it to $5 billion. He noted that Turkish contractors reached a business volume of $2 billion in Serbia.
“We also see benefits in enhancing our cooperation in the defense industry,” he said.
Decades-old intel file sheds light on Khomeini’s stay in Türkiye
Harsh reaction from Minister Bayraktar to Özgür Özel: The real “black order” is taking shape next to you
Minister Fidan: “Introducing our civilizations is an important stage”
Decades-old intel file sheds light on Khomeini’s stay in Türkiye
Harsh reaction from Minister Bayraktar to Özgür Özel: The real “black order” is taking shape next to you
Minister Fidan: “Introducing our civilizations is an important stage”
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