Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Israel’s heritage list and declared the Al Aksa mosque, the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron and Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, “ were not and never will be Jewish sites, but Islamic sites.”
 

Ever since the Israeli cabinet voted to include the two holy sites on its national list of heritage sites to be protected, Israel has been condemned by the entire Arab world as well as countries in the West.
 

In an interview with the Saudi al Watan newspaper Sunday, Erodgan said the Palestinian issue has remained at the top of Turkey’s list of priorities. “Palestine was always at the top of Turkey’s priorities, I love my brother in Fatah and my brothers in Hamas to the same degree,  because they are my Muslim brothers and I cannot distinguish between them.” he said.
 

Erdogan also called for the removal of the Israeli imposed siege on the Gaza Strip declaring he always described Palestine as an open air prison.

Israel imposed a closure on the Gaza Strip when Hamas took control of the area in a bloody takeover; however it permits the entry of humanitarian goods, medicine and vital food supplies on a daily basis.
 
“I always say Palestine is an open air prison, and the entrance of a case of tomatoes into the prison requires Israel’s approval. Can we speak of human rights in such a state?” he declared.
 

Ever since the end of the Israeli military offensive Operation Cast Lead in Gaza last year, Erdogan has sharply criticized Israel at every opportunity. At the end of the military campaign, Erdogan called for Israel to be removed from the United Nations for its actions against “innocent” civilians in Gaza.
 

At the World Economic Forum in Davos last year, Erdogan walked off stage in a huff after an angry exchange with Israeli President Shimon Peres, and vowed never to return. Erdogan was angry after the moderator curtailed his response to remarks made by Peres on the Gaza offensive, saying Peres was to have the last word because the panel was running late.
 

Earlier this year at a joint press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Erdogan said Turkey and Lebanon must unite against Israel.