As for the recent U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Weiss said: “Unfortunately, world leaders accept the Zionist narrative, according to which Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims always attack and hate the Jews”.
“[U.S. President Donald] Trump thinks he is doing the Jews a favor,” he added. “But we respectfully say to him: the state of Israel is illegitimate according to the Torah, so, of course, Jerusalem can’t be its capital.”
“This move [recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital] doesn't only harm Muslims, but Jews as well,” he said.
Weiss recalled his first protest in Turkey, in which he took part -- along with hundreds of thousands of Turkish demonstrators -- following the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, in which 10 Turkish activists were killed by Israeli forces in international waters while en route to the blockaded Gaza Strip.
“I look forward to meeting [Turkish] President Recep Tayyib Erdogan, who is not intimidated by Zionist leaders,” he said. “We look to him as someone who has taken care of the Jewish community here.”
“At the same time, Erdogan has stood up for the Palestinians in a way that nobody else has,” he added.
Rabbi Weiss concluded the interview by saying: “People think that if you’re a Jew then you support Israel. This is false. Unfortunately, Jews have become hated in the world because of Israel’s actions.”
This article has been adapted from its original source.
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