TURKIYE WILL NOT APPROVE ATTEMPTS TO COOPERATE WITH ISRAEL WITHIN NATO: ERDOGAN

WASHINGTON, July 12 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Attempts to cooperate with Israel within NATO are “not acceptable,” Anadolu Agency (AA) quoted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying on Thursday.

"It is not possible for the Israeli administration, which has trampled on the fundamental values ​​of our alliance, to continue its partnership relationship with NATO," Erdogan said during a press conference in Washington following the NATO leaders summit.

The defence alliance comprises 32 members but also maintains relations with many non-member countries and international organisations, known as NATO partners.

NATO leaders gathered for a three-day summit to mark the military alliance's 75th anniversary.

Regarding the same issue, Erdogan said that during his discussions on the sidelines of the summit, he highlighted the ongoing Israeli "atrocities" in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, "with its expansionist and reckless policies," endangers the security of not only its own citizens but also the entire region, he emphasised.

"Until a comprehensive, sustainable peace is established in Palestine, attempts at cooperation with Israel within NATO will not be approved by Turkiye.

"It is important that responsible members of the international community join hands for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine based on the 1967 borders," he said.

"Similarly, despite all the pressure and intimidation attempts, we are very pleased that the number of countries recognising Palestine is increasing," Erdogan added, urging other countries to also file a complaint against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Turning to the fight against terrorism, Erdogan stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between NATO allies in this area.

Ankara expects solidarity from its allies in combating terrorism, one of the two major threats identified by NATO, Erdogan said, adding: "The law of alliance also requires this."

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU