Turkey on Friday condemned the killing of seven Palestinians by Israeli security forces and violence against Muslims at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem.
In a written statement, the Foreign Ministry said: "We find it unacceptable and strongly condemn the killing of seven Palestinians, including a child, by Israeli security forces in different cities in Palestine, especially Jenin, and the intervention of Muslims in Al-Aqsa mosque for worship this morning, causing injuries."
"We are deeply concerned about the increasing tensions in the region in recent days. We would like to emphasize once again the importance of not allowing provocations and threats against the status and spirituality of Al-Aqsa mosque, especially in this sensitive period," it added.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also said on Twitter that "the intervention of Israeli security forces on Muslims in Al-Aqsa Mosque this morning is unacceptable. We strongly condemn these actions, which led to the death of seven Palestinians, including one child."
Attacks and threats against the status and spirituality of the Al-Aqsa Mosque are in no way acceptable, he said calling on the international community to fulfill its responsibility in this regard.
"As our president has often emphasized, we will continue to support lasting peace and stability. We are against any kind of violence that threatens the two-state solution, peace and stability," Çelik added.
Palestinians clashed with Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem on Friday as thousands gathered for prayers during the holy month of Ramadan. Medics said more than 150 Palestinians were wounded in the most serious violence at the site in nearly a year.
The holy site, which is sacred to Jews and Muslims, has often been the epicenter of Israeli-Palestinian unrest, and tensions were already heightened amid a recent wave of violence. Clashes at the site last year helped spark an 11-day war with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
The clashes come at a particularly sensitive time. Ramadan this year coincides with Passover, a major weeklong Jewish holiday beginning Friday at sundown, and Christian holy week, which culminates on Easter Sunday. The holidays are expected to bring tens of thousands of faithful into Jerusalem's Old City, home to major sites sacred to all three religions.
Israel recently carried out a wave of arrests and military operations across the occupied West Bank, setting off clashes with Palestinians. The Palestinian Health Ministry said a 17-year-old died early Friday from wounds suffered during clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank city of Jenin the day before.
At least 25 Palestinians have been killed in the recent wave of violence, many of whom had carried out attacks or were involved in the clashes, but also an unarmed woman and a lawyer have been killed allegedly by mistake.
