The scene of the massive rally in Istanbul. Photo: Screenshot.

JNS.org – Thousands of supporters of a conservative Turkish political party held rallies in Istanbul Sunday to protest Israel’s now-removed bolstered security measures at the Temple Mount.

Turkey’s Islamist party Saadet (Felicity) called for the protests, which were held in Yenikapi Square under the slogan, “Israel understands a show of strength.” Turkish demonstrators waved their country’s flag alongside Palestinian flags and chanted anti-Zionist slogans.

No senior Turkish government officials were spotted at the anti-Israel rallies. In a speech to Turkey’s parliament last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of “using the fight against terrorism as a pretext to take Al-Aqsa mosque from the hands of Muslims.” Israel’s Foreign Ministry called Erdogan’s remarks “absurd, unfounded and distorted,” adding, “The days of the Ottoman Empire have passed. Jerusalem was, is and will always be the capital of the Jewish people.”