Turkey to continue its diplomatic moves for al-Aqsa

It has become clear that two-week long tensions in East Jerusalem will linger as Israel will continue to take restrictive measures to Palestinians' access to the Harem al-Sherif, one of the most holiest sites, not only for the people of Palestine but for the entire Muslim world.

Although metal detectors and barriers have been removed from the gates of the holy site, tension has remained in place as Israel deployed an excessive number of security personnel after Palestinians declared July 28 as a Day of Rage and called for massive protests.

For Turkey, the Israeli government's move in East Jerusalem is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long-standing comprehensive policy. Having abandoned the internationally recognized two-state solution that would allow the establishment of the State of Palestine along with the State of Israel, Netanyahu is trying to expand control and influence in the occupied territories as well as in East Jerusalem.

This policy is seemingly threefold: It envisages more pressure on the Gaza Strip through a continued blockade despite international calls that life conditions are worsening in the enclave. This aims to minimize security concerns that could be posed from Hamas and other armed groups while allowing the Israeli government to ensure maximum control.

The second aspect is to create a de-facto annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories through settlement projects. The Israeli government has intensified new housing projects in the last six months after Donald Trump took over the Oval Office from Barack Obama who had initiated a United Nations resolution on the issue in his last days as the President of the United States.

The third is about East Jerusalem. With Trump signaling that...