By Huseyin Hayatsever
ANKARA (Reuters) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday told Turkey’s parliament he had decided to visit Gaza and Jerusalem to protest Israel’s war on the enclave, adding that he saw no end to the conflict unless Israel withdrew from occupied Palestinian lands.
Abbas, who met Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday to discuss the war and ceasefire efforts, addressed an extraordinary session of Turkey’s parliament general assembly at the invitation of the Turkish government.
In a 46-minute speech attended by Erdogan, his ministers and lawmakers from all political parties, Abbas accused the United States of prolonging the “catastrophe” by supporting Israel and vetoing resolutions at the United Nations Security Council. He also called on the world to legally punish Israel for its war crimes and violations of international law.
“I have decided to head with the Palestinian Authority (PA)members to the Gaza Strip. I will exert every effort so we can all be with our people to stop this barbaric aggression even if it costs us our lives,” Abbas said, adding that he would also go to Jerusalem. He did not specify when he would visit.
Abbas heads the PA, which exercises limited self rule in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
He received a standing ovation before and after his speech, which was also interrupted repeatedly by applause.
Turkey’s invitation to Abbas came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.S. Congress in July.
“On July 24, a war criminal gave a speech which was full of lies in the U.S. Congress. Here today, Mahmoud Abbas stated the truth and the Palestinian cause in every sentence,” Turkish parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus said, speaking after Abbas.
Israel’s assault on Gaza, which has killed more than 40,000 people, started after Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.
Turkey has denounced the war and halted all trade with Israel. It submitted a request to join South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide.
Erdogan, who has been a staunch supporter of Hamas, said Turkey had also planned to invite the political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran.
(Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever, additional reporting by Enas Alashray in Cairo, writing by Tuvan Gumrukcu; editing by Barbara Lewis)
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