President Erdogan congratulates Palestinian counterpart

By Enes Kaplan

ANKARA (AA) – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday over his reelection as head of the Palestinian Fatah movement, according to a presidential source.

Abbas was reelected during Fatah’s seventh general congress in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Tuesday.

The Turkish president highlighted the importance of collaboration among Palestinians, the source said.

The Palestinian leader also discussed the recent developments in Palestine with Erdogan over the phone, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking the media, said.

The Turkish leader also mentioned his concerns on the Israeli bill that calls for a ban on the use of loudspeakers for the Adhan, the Muslim call to prayer.

Abbas thanked Erdogan for his sensitivity over the issue, the source said.

The bill applies to all religions across Israel but many fear it is aimed at mosques that broadcast the Adhan five times a day.

Palestinian leaders -- and several Muslim countries -- have criticized the proposed law as an infringement on the right to worship freely.

Erdogan also mentioned to Abbas his pleasure at increasing the pace of the Jenin Industrial Zone project in the West Bank that will employ 5,000 Palestinians.