‘We will Continue to Support Palestinian Cause’

Speaking to Zaman, Erdogan stressed that Turkey will do everything necessary to start a new era between Israel and Palestine. The opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, who attended the ceremony with Erdogan, said they have always respected the struggle Arafat carried on with a great determination and belief, and this respect derived from the respect they felt for Palestinian people.

Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC) Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, also at the ceremony, noted that Arafat portrayed an unforgettable theme and that whole world will remember him as well as the Palestinians. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul reflected: "Unfortunately Yasser Arafat, after a great struggle, passed away without seeing peace and the Palestinian state on Palestinian territory."