A press release by the "ministry" argued: "We advise those who are having difficulty to understand or who do not want to understand why the Turkish Cypriot people demand an active guarantee system for its security to carefully watch the developments in Palestine". It added that the violence targeting civilians in front of the world in the 21 century has once again proven that the security was still one of the most important factors for the existence of a community.

The "ministry" expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives which resulted from the fait accompli attempted to be created by ignoring the rights and sensitivities of the Palestinians in the soil of Palestine.

"The US in contrast to the understanding of solving the international law and conflicts through peaceful methods and similar to its stance on Arab-Israeli wars has once again put its signature on another serious mistake which would endanger peace. We condemn the US for causing these incidents which claimed the lives of people in front of the world and Israel for using disproportionate gun force against civilians" the statement said.

"We, as the TRNC once again remind the importance of abstaining from approaches which would trigger violence in this region and in other regions of the world where there are continuing international disputes and the need for solving the disputes through a peaceful dialogue", the statement claimed and added: "Hereby, we invite the UN, the EU and other international organs and communities to take action against these serious developments."

"We attach importance and support a development that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will hold an extraordinary meeting upon a call made by Turkey to discuss the incidents. We, as the TRNC will take part in that meeting to show our will to be a part of the international community and to support the people of Palestine" the statement said.

[04] Debates on the "citizenships" continue

Referring to the same issue, Bertan Zaroglu, "deputy" with the settlers' Revival Party (YDP), alleged that some "citizenships" were "illegally" annulled. Giving an example regarding a person who had come to the occupied area of the island when he was four years old and travelled abroad only for ten days, Zaroglu asked why the "citizenship" of this person was annulled and alleged that the "cabinet" is not obliged to explain why it grants "citizenships", but it must do this when it annuls "citizenships".

Replying to Zaroglu, Aygul Baybars, self-styled interior minister, argued that his statements derive from rumors and not from knowledge. She added that the decisions of the "council of ministers" constitute "administrative acts" and therefore they must be justified and this justification must be announced. She also said that some "citizenships" were annulled after "serious legal examination" and the decision for their annulment was justified.

Meanwhile, Turkish lawyer Hakan Athan, who is one of the 175 persons the "citizenship" of whom was annulled with the "decision of the council of ministers", told Kibris Postasi that he was informed from the media that his "citizenship" had been annulled and wondered what crime he had committed and what was his "illegal" action, adding that he has seven apartments in occupied Keryneia and one plot of land in occupied Famagusta. Noting that he comes to the occupied area of Cyprus since 2015, Athan said that the value of his property in the occupied area is around five trillion Turkish liras (TL) and that after the annulment of his "citizenship" he will be allowed to have only one apartment within the framework of his "permanent residence permit". Recalling that he is a lawyer in Istanbul, Athan wondered to whom and how he will transfer his apartments and added that the cost of transferring each one of them reaches 30 thousand TL.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Harmanci met with the Mayor of the Sor Varanger municipality of Norway

According to a written statement issued by the municipality in the occupied part of Lefkosia, Harmanci briefed Rafaelsen about the municipality's works and its future projects.

Moreover, during the meeting, Harmanci and Rafaelsen exchanged views on a possible cooperation between the two municipalities in the cultural field.

(AK)

[06] The "four-party coalition government" evaluated its 100 days in "power"

According to the paper, all party leaders agreed that they had accomplished the majority of their goals within the period of the first 100 days since "coming to power", alleging that among the "government's priorities" are the "reforms in the public sector and local administration", the "reinforcement of the "immovable property compensation committee" and also to take measures on the "economy".

The party leaders agreed further that the "government's works continue in harmony" and announced that the "four-party coalition government" will continue its cooperation for the next four years.

(AK)

[07] The "military headquarters" belonging to the "KTBK" in occupied Keryneia to be transformed into a museum

According to Gungordu, in exchange for this, the "municipality", has signed an "agreement with the director of the Yusuf Elgun Construction Company in order to build a 20 units guesthouse and a kitchen compartment with a 3,000 person's capacity for the "KTBK".

Gungordu stated further that they had opened tenders for both "projects" on March 16, 2018 adding that the project for the building of the kitchen compartment will be completed in 8 months and will cost 1 million 580 thousand TL, while the second project for the construction of the guesthouse will be completed in 11 months and will cost 2 million 457 thousand TL.

(AK)

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan says Israeli Prime Minister has 'blood' on his hands

"Netanyahu is the Prime Minister of an apartheid state that has occupied a defenseless people's lands for 60 years in violation of United Nations Resolutions," Erdogan tweeted.

"He has the blood of Palestinians on his hands and can't cover up crimes by attacking Turkey. Want a lesson in humanity? Read the 10 commandments," he added.

In a response statement, Netanyahu said that "Erdogan is among Hamas's biggest supporters and there is no doubt that he well understands terrorism and slaughter. I suggest that he won't preach morality to us."

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolian news agency (15.05.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/turkey-to-never-accept-jerusalem-as-israeli-capital/1147105) reported that Turkey will never accept the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday. "We will never accept US attempt to move Embassy to Jerusalem and to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli capital," Erdogan said in a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May following their meeting in London.

Erdogan said the U.S. government's "indifferent policies" encouraged Israel more on occupation and violence in Palestine. "Israel took these steps with a logic of 'I am might, therefore I am right'", the President said, adding "Israel is the occupier there and it continues terrorizing [Palestinians]."

He called on the international community and the UN "to act without wasting time and stop this oppression" in Palestine.

Reminding the UN General Assembly vote on the U.S. decision of recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, Erdogan said 128 countries rejected the U.S. move.

"History will not forgive you [US], we will see this reality; history will never forgive Israel, we will see this too," Erdogan added.

The Turkish President underlined that a "strong message" from Istanbul will be given to the world on Friday as Turkey, as the term president of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, called an emergency meeting over the killings in Gaza.

British Prime Minister May, for her part, called for an "independent and transparent investigation" to find out what happened in Gaza yesterday. "The loss of life we have seen is tragic and extremely concerning. Such violence is destructive to peace efforts and we call on all sides to show restraint," she added.

"There is an urgent need to establish the facts on what happened […], including why such a volume of live fire was used and what part Hamas played," she said.

[02] Turkey asks Israeli Ambassador and Consul General to leave country

The Foreign Ministry summoned Ambassador Eitan Naeh and told him it would be "appropriate" for him to return to his country "for a while", said the sources, who refused to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (16.05.18, https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2018/05/16/turkey-expels-israels-consul-general-to-istanbul-in-spat-over-gaza-violence) reports that the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Wednesday told Israel's Consul General in Istanbul Yosef Levi Sfari to leave the country "for a while".

According to diplomatic sources speaking on condition of anonymity, the Ministry told Sfari to leave following indiscriminate violence and killings by Israeli soldiers along the Gaza border.

Turkey's Consul General in Jerusalem was summoned by the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Tuesday and also asked to leave the country for an indefinite period of time.

[03] Thousands of Turks protest Israeli killing of Palestinians

Hundreds of people gathered in Istanbul's Beyoglu district on May 14 for the protest named "Give voice to the invasion" at Tunnel Square, located on the southern end of the famous Istiklal Avenue. Among the people protesting were representatives of Turkey's largest labour movement Memur-Sen, Anadolu Youth Association (AGD), the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, and the Turkish Association of Municipal and City Administration (Bem-Bir-Sen).

The group held a banner reading "Jerusalem belongs to Muslims" and walked to Galatasaray Square, shouting slogans against Israel and holding Turkish and Palestinian flags.

Protests were also held in the capital Ankara, with a group of people gathering in front of the Israeli Embassy on May 14, and another in front of the U.S. Embassy on May 15.

Similarly, other protests were organized in the southeastern province of Sanl?urfa, in the eastern province of Batman, in the southern province of Bursa, the western province of Bursa, and the eastern province of Malatya.

[04] Cavusoglu to meet with Pompeo on June 4

The move comes as Cavusoglu and Pompeo were scheduled to meet in Washington D.C. to discuss a number of bilateral disputes including Syria. The Minister said this tension on Jerusalem will not affect his visit to the U.S., informing that his meeting with Pompeo would take place on June 4.

"We have received an invitation for June 4 and we have confirmed it," Cavusoglu said, underlining that the ongoing dialogue on Syria is a separate issue.

The two Ministers will discuss an initial plan under the "Manbij model" that stipulates the control of the Syrian province by Turkey and the U.S. after the withdrawal of the People's Protection Units (YPG).

[05] Latest opinion poll on the upcoming elections in Turkey