NextFin news, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem on Sunday in Istanbul to discuss pressing issues concerning Gaza and the holy sites in Jerusalem. The meeting focused on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the preservation of the historical and religious status of Jerusalem.
During the meeting, Erdoğan described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "genocidal" figure and condemned Israel's actions, which he said aim to harm the historical status and sanctity of Jerusalem. The Turkish president emphasized that such actions are unacceptable.
The Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, who leads the Eastern Orthodox Christian community in the Holy Land, engaged in discussions with Erdoğan about the challenges facing the Christian holy sites and the broader regional tensions affecting Gaza and Jerusalem.
The meeting took place in Istanbul on Sunday, September 14, 2025, and was reported by NewsIT and The National Herald, citing official statements from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
As a symbol of goodwill, Patriarch Theophilos presented a gift to President Erdoğan during their encounter, underscoring the importance of dialogue between religious and political leaders in addressing regional conflicts and protecting sacred sites.
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