Israeli police attack TRT Haber crew: First statement from AKP

Israeli police attacked a TRT Haber crew who were recording the moments when they were beating Palestinians attempting to reach the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.

As they do every Friday, Israeli police deployed with iron barriers around the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem, where the Al-Aqsa Mosque is located, and at its gates since the morning hours.

The Israeli police conducted identity checks on those arriving for prayer, particularly targeting young Palestinians, and prevented some from reaching the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

A scuffle broke out at the Lions' Gate (Bab al-Asbat) of the Al-Aqsa Mosque when Israeli police blocked some Palestinians, and the police beat the Palestinians there with batons.

Footage showing blood on the clothes of some Palestinians injured as a result of the beating by Israeli police was shared on social media.

The Israeli police also attacked the TRT Haber crew filming these moments; cameraman Ömer Avvad fell to the ground after being pushed by the officers. The Israeli police forcibly removed the press members from the area.

Israeli police attack TRT Haber crew: First statement from AKP https://t.co/TmWY6ungMy pic.twitter.com/vfDf3jAQp7

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TRT CAMERAMAN INJURED

The TRT Jerusalem office pointed out that the team on the ground had presented their press cards, which show their valid accreditation in Israel, multiple times.

The TRT cameraman was injured as a result of the attack.

YILMAZ TUNÇ: ISRAEL IS DELIBERATELY TARGETING JOURNALISTS

There have been successive reactions from Turkey to the attack by Israeli police on the TRT crew.

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç conveyed his best wishes to the TRT cameraman injured in the attack and condemned Israel.

Tunç's statement is as follows:

"I strongly condemn the attack by occupying Israeli forces on the TRT Haber crew at the gate of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

I wish a speedy recovery to the TRT cameraman injured in the attack and convey my best wishes to the TRT family.

Acting like a terrorist state, Israel is deliberately targeting journalists and trying to hide the massacres it commits.

No matter what it does, the occupying Israel will not be able to hide the genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes it has committed."

CONDEMNATION FROM FAHRETTİN ALTUN

Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun condemned the attack by Israeli forces on the TRT crew in Jerusalem.

In a statement on his social media account, Altun stated that as they continue to show and tell the world about Israel's barbarism and massacres, Israel's persecution of journalists, whose duty is to pursue the truth, has increased even further, and noted the following:

"I strongly condemn and curse the vile and cowardly attack by Israel's armed bullies on the TRT Haber crew, who were revealing an atrocity and tragedy with nothing in their hands but their cameras and microphones. Despite all the pressure and violence of this murderous gang that has not received its share of humanity, the Turkish media, led by TRT and Anadolu Agency, will continue to make the voice of the oppressed Palestinian people heard."

STATEMENT FROM AKP'S ÖMER ÇELİK

AKP Spokesperson and Deputy Chairman Ömer Çelik condemned the attack by Israeli forces on the TRT crew in Jerusalem.

In a statement on his social media account, Çelik expressed that they strongly curse the aggression of Israeli forces against the TRT Haber crew.

Ömer Çelik stated, "TRT Haber, which carries the Netanyahu government's massacres and genocide against the Palestinian people to the world public and records history, continues to perform its duty on behalf of humanity. TRT and Anadolu Agency will continue to announce the truths on behalf of humanity. The massacre regime in Israel will sooner or later be held accountable for the crimes it has committed against humanity."

REACTION FROM CHP LEADER ÖZGÜR ÖZEL

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel cursed the attack by Israeli forces on the TRT crew in Jerusalem.

In a statement on his social media account, Özel said, "I curse Israel's attack on the TRT Haber crew doing their job, and I convey my best wishes to the cameraman Ömer Avvad who was attacked. Israel must end its attacks on press members working in Palestine to ensure the truth comes to light."

News Source: AA