PBA DESK : Turkey has “strongly” condemned Israel’s
decision not to renew the mandate of an international monitoring group in the
occupied West Bank city of Hebron.
“We strongly condemn Israel’s unilateral termination of the mandate of the
‘Temporary International Presence in Hebron’ (TIPH) … and expect this
political decision to be reversed,” the Turkish foreign ministry said in a
statement late on Friday.
The Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) was established
after a massacre of Palestinians in 1994.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he would not extend
its mandate, accusing it of bias.
Ankara, however, dismissed the Israeli claim.
“We decisively reject the allegation that the TIPH has been working
against Israel, which is presented by Israel as a justification for its
decision.”
Turkey has observers in the Norway-led team tasked with promoting security
for Palestinians in Hebron, which is holy to both Muslims and Jews and has
been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Palestinian and European officials have also expressed concern and regret
over the Israeli decision.
PBA/zizi
