Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced on Saturday that his country had raised the quota of Palestinian dates exempt from customs duties from 3 to 5 thousand tons.

In a post on his account on the “X” platform, he mentioned his meeting with the Palestinian Minister of Economy (former Khaled Asseily) in December 2023.

He added that he and Minister Asseily reached the necessity of raising the share of Palestinian dates exempt from customs duties, so that this would be announced today.

The Turkish minister expressed his hope that this step would bring goodness to the Palestinian economy, which he said was one of its basic elements.

Bolat affirmed that Turkey will continue to “meet the demands of the Palestinian brothers in various fields and by all means available to us.”

For its part, the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy quoted in a statement the Minister of Economy, Muhammad Al-Amour, as welcoming “the Turkish government’s decision.”

It added, “The Turkish decision comes in response to the Palestinian request regarding raising the quota of Palestinian dates exempt from customs and facilitating the entry of customs-free Palestinian agricultural products into Turkish markets.”

According to the statement, Al-Amour expressed, in a telephone call with Bolat, “his thanks and appreciation to Turkey as president, government and people for this decision that strengthens the steadfastness of Palestinian farmers in particular, and for all aspects of the continuing support that Turkey provides to the Palestinian people politically and economically and for the relief it provides to our people in the Gaza Strip.” .

In the 2023 season, date production in Palestine was estimated at about 18,000 tons, produced on 870 farms employing about 5,000 workers, according to statements by former Minister of Agriculture Riyad Al-Attar in September 2023, reported by official Palestinian news at the time.

According to Al-Attari, the revenues of this sector exceed $100 million annually, noting that Palestinian dates will reach 60 markets internationally during 2022.

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that Germany and Turkey are two countries that cannot do without each other and we need each other.

This came in a joint press conference on Wednesday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the capital, Ankara.

Steinmeier explained that relations between Germany and Turkey are based on a long and rich history, and that he is visiting Turkey coinciding with the centenary of the start of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He added: “Our country does not have such intense friendly and family relations with any other country as is the case with Turkey.”

Steinmeier stated that these relations are not limited only to the two states and governments, but rather there are distinct human and popular relations.

He pointed out that about 3 million people of Turkish origin live in Germany since the signing of the labor agreement in 1961.

He stressed the need to restore importance and momentum in Turkish-German relations in a short time, especially in these difficult times.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, the German President said that Israel’s security cannot be guaranteed without a political perspective for the Palestinians, and this can only be achieved with a two-state solution.

Steinmeier stressed the need to reform the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country is currently making efforts regarding the exchange of hostages between Israel and the Palestinian factions, expressing his hope for success in this.

This came in a joint press conference on Wednesday held by President Erdogan with his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in the Turkish capital, Ankara.

The Turkish President renewed his calls to stop the Israeli injustice that has been continuing in Gaza for more than 200 days.

He stressed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is endangering the security of our entire region, including his own citizens, in order to prolong his political career.”

The Turkish President also warned of Israel’s efforts to divert attention from its “crimes against humanity and its massacres in Gaza.”

He pointed out that everyone realizes that as long as the Israeli attacks continue, the threats to regional and global peace will increase, and that the escalating tension between Iran and Israel last week is the latest and most prominent example of this.

He added: “We all know that the suffering of innocent people (Palestinians) condemned to death, hunger and misery will not be forgotten even after generations have passed, and we in Turkey have taken a firm, conscious and courageous stance on this issue from day one.”

He added: “We will continue to intensify our efforts to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza and provide adequate, uninterrupted humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.”

Regarding trade and economic relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv, President Erdogan said: “We no longer establish extensive trade relations with Israel. The matter has ended, and our Foreign Minister announced this a short time ago.”

President Erdogan pointed out that some of those injured in Gaza, including children, women and the elderly, continue to be treated in Türkiye.

He stressed the horror of the current situation in Gaza, adding, “Our German friends must see the bitter scene of children, women and the elderly in Gaza. Gaza and Palestine have been completely destroyed.”

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The Turkish state of Van sent 150 tons of flour to the residents of Gaza, which is under Israeli attack.

The spokesman for the Palestine Support Platform, Ghareeb Jussour, said in a statement to reporters on Saturday that they purchased 150 tons of flour to send to the people of Gaza with the donations they collected as part of the aid collection campaign.

He added that 6 trucks loaded with bags of flour were sent from the industrial zone in the state of Van to the port of Mersin in southern Turkey.

The spokesman explained: “The Israeli occupation is committing genocide in Gaza, destroying buildings there and leaving people to face hunger.”

He pointed out that they bought 150 tons of flour from the money they collected from Turkish donors in the state and sent it by truck to the port of Mersin, and from there it will be delivered to Gaza.

Since October 7, Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza that has left more than 110,000 people dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and massive destruction and famine that have claimed the lives of children and the elderly, according to Palestinian and UN data.

Israel continues its war despite the issuance of an immediate ceasefire resolution by the Security Council, and despite its appearance before the International Court of Justice on charges of committing “genocide.”

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Turkey is preparing to send the 9th humanitarian aid ship to relief the residents of Gaza, as it will depart tomorrow, Tuesday, from the port of Mersin in the south of the country.

The humanitarian aid ship that the Turkish Red Crescent will send includes 3,774 tons of food, flour, supplies for children and infants, and sleeping bags.

The ship is scheduled to depart from the port of Mersin tomorrow, Tuesday, with an official ceremony, and will arrive at the Egyptian port of Al-Arish after a journey lasting approximately 40 hours.

The aid will be delivered to the Palestinian Red Crescent after being transported from the port of Al-Arish to the Rafah crossing via trucks, to then be delivered to the residents of Gaza.

To date, Turkey has sent, through the Red Crescent and the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Administration (AFAD), 39,607 tons of humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza on board 13 planes and 8 ships.

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The Turkish head of religious affairs, Ali Erbaş, said that Pope Francis expressed his thanks to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the contributions he makes to world peace.

This came in press statements made by Erbaş on Saturday at the headquarters of the Turkish Embassy in the Vatican, where he moved after his meeting with Pope Francis.

Erbaş added that Pope Francis praised the efforts made by President Erdogan to achieve world peace.

Pope Francis described Erdogan as “one of the few strong leaders who work hard and do everything in their power to achieve world peace.”

Erbaş explained that Pope Francis conveyed his peace and greetings to President Erdogan, thanking him for his efforts for world peace.

In a related context, Erbaş said that he delivered a message from President Erdogan to the Pope of the Vatican regarding developments in Palestine and the Gaza Strip.

Earlier on Saturday, the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Department stated in a statement that President Erdogan sent a message regarding Palestine to Pope Francis in which he stressed the need for humanity not to allow further violations of international law in Gaza.

President Erdogan added in his message: “Permanent peace and stability cannot be achieved in the Middle East without reaching a just solution to the Palestinian issue.”

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The head of the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Department, Fahrettin Altun, condemned the Israeli attack that targeted a team affiliated with the official Turkish “TRT Arabi” television in the Gaza Strip.

This was stated in a post on his account on the X platform.

Altun pointed out that the Israeli occupation’s deliberate targeting of journalists during its attacks on the Gaza Strip continues unabated.

He stated that the “TRT Arabi” team’s car, which was preparing to broadcast in the Nuseirat camp in Gaza, was subjected to an air attack by the Israeli army.

Altun confirmed that independent photojournalist Sami Shehadeh was critically injured in the attack and underwent surgery, while “TRT Arabi” correspondent Sami Barhoum survived without injury.

He said: “We condemn this despicable attack. It is terrorism. This terrorism must stop and the Western world must oppose this brutality as soon as possible.”

Altun explained that Israel targets journalists and attacks the freedom of the press to prevent seeing its massacres.

He stressed that the international community’s indifference to these attacks encourages Israel.

He added: “Enough is enough. The international community must take action against the brutality that is happening before our eyes.”

Altun said that those who remain silent in the face of these systematic attacks are complicit in the crime of genocide committed by Israel.

He continued: “I once again condemn the Israeli attacks targeting journalists in Gaza.”

Altun expressed his wishes for a speedy recovery to photographer Sami Shehadeh and his condolences to the TRT family.

In a related context, the Director General of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), Muhammad Zahid Subaji, said that criminal Israel targeted the car of the “TRT Arab” team.

Subaji expressed his regret over the loss of his foot by freelance photographer Sami Shehadeh as a result of the attack, stressing that correspondent Sami Barhoum’s health is good.

He added: “I condemn Israeli brutality, which has no moral, legal or humanitarian limits.”

On Friday, the Israeli army targeted a TRT Arabi channel team while it was working as a journalist in the Nuseirat camp.

The channel reported that the attack resulted in cameraman Sami Shehadeh sustaining injuries described as moderate to serious, and the amputation of his foot. Reporter Sami Barhoum also sustained minor injuries.

Eid al-Fitr fell on Gaza this year, while Israel has been waging a devastating war on the Strip since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 100,000 dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and massive destruction and famine that claimed the lives of children and the elderly, according to Palestinian and UN data.

Israel continues the war despite the Security Council issuing an immediate ceasefire resolution, and despite its first appearance before the International Court of Justice on charges of committing “genocide.”

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Turkey ranked first in the world among the countries sending the most aid to the Gaza Strip, which is subjected to an Israeli war and siege.

Israeli Ministry of Defense data showed on Monday that the aid sent from Turkey to Gaza amounted to 26 percent of the total aid that entered the Strip.

According to the same data, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey shared first place with the same percentage.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia came in second place with 15 percent, followed by Qatar with 7 percent.

In addition, Türkiye donated 7 ambulances out of 74 that were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.

Also, 3,204 sick and wounded people, along with 725 companions, were evacuated from the Gaza Strip to receive treatment abroad, coordinated by Turkey, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

Turkey continues to provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in coordination with Egypt since the start of the Israeli attacks.

On the other hand, Turkey continues its assistance to the sick and wounded who were unable to obtain health care after the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Many countries of the world sent humanitarian aid to Gaza through Egyptian territory, but Israeli obstacles led to the cessation of most of this aid on the Egyptian side.

Israel also ignores international calls to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border gate with Egypt.

The ongoing Israeli war on Gaza for 6 months has left more than 100,000 dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and massive destruction and famine that have claimed the lives of children and the elderly, according to Palestinian and UN data.

On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, Israel continues the war despite the Security Council issuing an immediate ceasefire resolution, and despite its first appearance before the International Court of Justice on charges of committing “genocide.”

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Turkish Justice and Development Party spokesman Omer Çelik said that the attack on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s approach to Palestine is “unfounded and unfair.”

Çelik confirmed on the “X” platform that President Erdogan’s clear position on the issue of Palestine and Jerusalem and his solidarity with the Palestinians in the occupied territories is “an indisputable fact.”

He pointed out that President Erdogan’s diplomatic efforts to stop the Israeli war on Gaza since October 7 and his tireless efforts at various levels are known to the entire world.

He pointed out that Erdogan “is the only leader who has expressed his opposition before the eyes of world leaders to those who describe the Palestinians who are resisting for their land and rights as terrorists, and history has recorded this position for him.”

He added: “Our president received the appreciation of the Palestinian people and leaders on every occasion for this approach and actual support.”

He added: “Because of his consistent approach towards Palestine, our president is being targeted by prominent names in the network of massacre perpetrators and the government of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu.”

He continued, “Despite all the attacks he was subjected to throughout his political career, our president did not give up defending the Palestinian cause, even for a single moment.”

He added: “Our president considers the Palestinian issue one of the basic elements of our national policy, and attacks on his position on Palestine are baseless, unfair, and have no justification.”

He stressed that “President Erdogan, as the voice of the Turkish people and the global conscience, is the strongest supporter and defender of the Palestinian cause and the oppressed people of Gaza.”

Since last October 7, the Israeli army has been waging a devastating war on Gaza that has left tens of thousands dead and wounded, most of them children and women, according to Palestinian sources, which necessitated Tel Aviv’s trial before the International Court of Justice on the grounds of “genocide.”

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A protest was organized in front of the US Consulate General in the Sariyer district of Istanbul on Sunday, denouncing Washington’s support for the Israeli attacks on the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

The protest, organized by the Gaza Solidarity Platform of the Association for Free Thought and Educational Rights (Ozgür-Der), began after noon prayer.

The protesters raised Palestinian flags and chanted slogans and chants against Israel and the United States of America.

In front of the American Consulate, the protesters recited verses from the Holy Quran and expressed their full solidarity with the people of Gaza.

In his speech, Hamza Aar, a member of the Gaza Solidarity Platform, called on the Islamic world to take a united position and express full solidarity with the residents of Gaza.

The ongoing war on Gaza since October 7, 2023 has left tens of thousands of civilian victims, most of them children and women, and a famine that has claimed the lives of children and the elderly, according to Palestinian and international data, which led to Israel being brought before the International Court of Justice on charges of committing “genocide.”

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