Abbas to visit Turkey mid August as both condemn Haniyeh’s killing

Ezgi Akin

Jul 31, 2024

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas listens as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (not pictured) speaks during a meeting in Ankara, on March 5, 2024. — ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

ANKARA — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is set to visit Ankara on Aug. 14-15, Turkey announced on Wednesday, as tensions in the region have further escalated after the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran early Wednesday.

After he meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Aug. 14, Abbas is expected to give a speech in Turkish parliament the next day, the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications said.

Erdogan publicly scolded Abbas last week for failing to respond to his invitation to give a speech in parliament. Quickly stepping into the fray, Palestine’s Ambassador to Ankara Faed Mustafa expressed on Sunday appreciation for Turkey’s “unswerving support” for Palestinians.

The announcement of the visit comes amid a major escalation in the region after the killing of Hamas’ political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, early Wednesday morning in northern Tehran, where he traveled to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Along with Haniyeh, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also attended the ceremony. Iran vowed to avenge the killing, threatening “harsh punishments” for the perpetrators.