Turkey's economic growth to silence opposition: Erdogan

By Merve Yildizalp

ANKARA (AA) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkey's rising economic growth rate would silence those who want to portray it as a weak state.

Speaking at a program to mark World Human Rights Day in the capital Ankara, Erdogan referred to Turkey’s 11.1 percent growth rate in the third quarter of 2017.

“This growth rate, is the best response to those who try to portray Turkey as a weak country."

Referring to the Jerusalem issue, he said: “Those who make life in Jerusalem difficult for Muslims and the followers of other faiths, will not be able to wash the blood from their hands.”

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.

The dramatic shift in Washington’s Jerusalem policy triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq and other Muslim countries.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.