Erdogan lashes out at ‘treason’ of Arab countries over Trump peace plan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday blasted some Arab countries for backing a Middle East peace plan unveiled by the United States, condemning it as “treason.”

“Some Arab countries that support such a plan commit treason against Jerusalem, as well as against their own people, and more importantly against all humanity,” Erdogan told his party’s provincial heads in Ankara.

Erdogan, a conservative Islamist and a strong advocate of Palestinian rights, singled out Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan.

“Saudi Arabia in particular, you are silent. When will you break your silence? You look at Amman, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi are the same,” said the Turkish president.

“Shame on you! Shame on you! How will those hands that applaud (the plan) give an account of this treacherous step?”

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled the details of the long-awaited plan aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying that Jerusalem would remain Israel’s “undivided capital.”

Gulf Arab states – whose relations with Israel have warmed considerably in recent years – welcomed the plan following its unveiling, despite it sparking outrage among much of the international community for its one-sidedness.

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The United Arab Emirates, which sent its ambassador to the White House briefing – praised the plan as a “serious initiative that addresses many issues raised over the years.”

Saudi Arabia – which was individually thanked in the White House document for its cooperation in the process – said it “appreciated” Trump’s efforts and said they were a starting point for direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

The Palestinian side, which has boycotted the process since Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017, called the plan a “conspiracy”.

Other international observers have pointed out that although the deal ostensibly proposes a Palestinian state separated into isolated cantons, it stipulates that Israel would retain overall security control and control over the future state’s many borders, therefore becoming a system akin to Apartheid.

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