Turkish Troop Deployment may be jeopardized by Israel

Al-Haram al-Sharif, in the heart of Jerusalem, covers 35 acres and includes fountains, gardens, buildings and domes. At its southernmost end is Al-Aqsa Mosque, and in the center, the celebrated Dome of the Rock is situated. The entire area is regarded as a mosque and constitutes nearly one sixth of Jerusalem.

In the message, Ankara informed the White House that it found Israel plans to open up Al-Haram worrisome and warned that violence in the Middle East would escalate. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed concern that this tension would affect the Turkish troop deployment process in Iraq negatively. "Turkey is very sensitive about this subject. We express this to every one and will continue to do so," said diplomatic sources. There were suggestions that Ankara had taken action upon Palestine Leader Yaser Arafat’s request to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. However, the prime ministry did not confirm this.

Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon visit to Al-Haram on September 28, 2000, had sparked the second Palestinian intifada. Observers say that with Sharon’s visits raises the tension in the region and there are concerns that this will harm the peace process.

In the Israeli parliament earlier this week, Public Security Minister Tzachi HaNegbi had announced that non-Muslims would be able to visit Al-Haram, as of next week, despite Palestinian opposition. Turkish officials indicate that if the call is not answered in a satisfactory way, Ankara will determine more decisive position.

Government sources said a possible religious conflict in Jerusalem would invoke anti-American sentiment, and this would have a serious bearing on parliament’s decision to deploy troops in Iraq.

However, stressing that Ankara’s Tel Aviv policy would remain unchanged, the same sources said, "Israel should understand Turkey and U.S. interests. This case is not only limited to Al-Haram, it is the entire region’s concern."

It was also said that Turkey supported the Road Map peace plan and that both sides should avoid actions that might derail the process.

Both sides have accused each other of trying to jeopardize the peace process. Palestine Minister of Foreign Affairs Nabil Saat said yesterday that Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had no intention of implementing the Road Map. Sharon, however, maintains that he wants the peace process to continue; but the Palestinians spent more effort on to this.

Yesterday afternoon, the Israeli government announcement that, in accordance with Road Map stipulations, Israel would give the West Bank cities of Eriha and Kalkilia back to the Palestinians next week, renewed hopes for peace. In addition, Israeli television announced yesterday that inspections in Ramallah and Tulkarm would be completed in two weeks.

The Jews believe that Al-Haram, where Al-Aqsa – regarded as the third holiest Muslim site after Mecca and Medina – and the Mosque of Omer (The Chaliph Omer ibn al-Khattab) are situated, was built on the ruins of the Solomon’s Temple. For this reason, the Jewish believe that not only Solomon’s Temple (known as the Crying Wall or as the West Wall) should be open, but also the entire Al-Haram.

Foreign News Services / Istanbul / TURKEY