Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has slammed the U.S. and European countries for openly threatening Turkey in light of the recent NATO crisis over signing a deal with Russia to buy the S-400 missile defense system, and also for their stance in the row with Germany over its support for terrorism through agents in Turkey.

Addressing Justice and Development (AK) Party congressmen in parliament, Erdoğan lashed out at countries such as the U.S., Germany, and the Netherlands for their “incomprehensible” hostility displayed against Turkey in recent days.

They’re obsessed with Turkey

"Westerners want their agents to roam freely on our territory while they harm our people," Erdoğan told congressmen from his Justice and Development (AK) Party at a meeting in parliament.

"Those who say it is the judiciary's business turn situations into diplomatic crises when it comes to the terrorists they harbor in their own country when we catch their agents red-handed," said Erdoğan.

Erdoğan also touched on the issues of German companies in Turkey, saying, “This cooperation is based on mutual benefit. However, they threaten us by claiming they would pull out of Turkey. There are many companies in the world. Any company can be replaced. “

The Turkish president warned Western countries saying “They should either respect our sovereignty and the partnership that exists on just and equal standing, or face the consequences for disrespecting this principle.”

Erdoğan said that the West is “obsessed with Turkey,” and that they used to hide their threats behind carefully picked words, but now they’re doing it blatantly.

Media instructs how to harm Turkey

Erdoğan slammed steps taken by Germany to bring harm to Turkey by supporting FETÖ and PKK terrorists.

The Turkish president criticized a German minister who openly expressed his thoughts to the media about how to bring more harm to Turkey.

“They made false promises to terrorists that were not actualized during the Gezi events and also to FETÖ terrorists. Now they’re giving the PKK, the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) and YPG hope, and that, too, will lead nowhere,” said Erdoğan.

Mind your threatening tone

”Let me ask them one more question. Why are they worried about the extension of the state of emergency in Turkey, while various U.S. states independently declare a state of emergency? We have declared a state of emergency because of a terror threat. Why are you worried? If they think Turkey will be intimated with an embargo, they’re mistaken. We’re not alone. We get support from Europe, Asia, and the whole world,” Erdoğan said.

Two wrongs don’t make a right

Erdoğan also denounced attacks on synagogues in Turkey, referring to reports that a group threw stones at a synagogue in Istanbul last week. "It does not make sense to attack synagogues here because something has happened at al-Aqsa mosque. This does not suit our religion and it is not allowed," he said.

Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s stance that the ideal solution is a two-state solution within the 1967 borders with Eastern Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state.

The Turkish president also said it’s not acceptable to treat Muslims as terrorists, just as it is unacceptable for Turkey to treat worshippers going to the country’s synagogues as such.

S-400 agreement has been signed

Erdoğan reserved Turkey’s right to pursue the most ideal measures that concern the country’s security through all means possible, noting that “Turkey has for years informed the EU of its desire to look for a defense system, and this is the result that the search has yielded,” said Erdoğan.

President Erdoğan said that the purchase of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia would not cause any tension. "Greece who is also a NATO country has been using the S-300 for years. Why did not they speak up then? Why do they worry about it when Turkey is concerned?"

He said: "We have taken the necessary steps with the Russian Federation on this issue, the signatures have been put on paper and hopefully we will see S-400s in our country. We will also manage the process with joint production [of S-400s]."

Russian presidential aide Vladimir Kozhin said late June that Moscow and Ankara had agreed on the delivery of the S-400 mobile systems but that the Kremlin had not approved a loan for the deal.

The S-400 system was introduced in 2007 and can carry three types of missiles capable of destroying ground and air targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles.

It can track and engage up to 300 targets simultaneously and has an altitude ceiling of 27 kilometers (17 miles).

2019, the breaking point

Speaking on the subject of Turkish elections in 2019, Erdoğan noted that it will be a breaking point because the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s success in the ballot box constitutes a success for Turkey.

The Turkish president also mentioned winning the referendum was easy compared to the AK Party’s greater target, set for 2019.

He noted that with this target obtaining more than 50 percent was necessary and that when this was actualized their ability to serve the country would increase by a larger percentage.

Visit al-Aqsa Mosque

Erdoğan said that his Gulf tour was an opportunity to discuss several regional matters during meetings held with these countries’ leaders, where sincere discourse took place in a bid to find a solution to sticking points.

Erdoğan reiterated his hope that a solution to the Qatar crisis would soon be found, adding that Turkey would intensify its efforts to ensure stability in the region.

The Turkish president also stressed that al-Aqsa mosque is the third holiest site for Muslims after the Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid al-Nabawi.

Erdoğan recalled that everyone’s rights of worship in Jerusalem was respected when the holy city was under four centuries of Ottoman rule, noting that the coup targeting the invading Britons in Kut al-Amara is still fresh in people’s memories.

Solid fraternal foundation

The Turkish president said that the time has come to “leave behind the lie propagated in the past among generations of Turks through history books claiming that ‘Arabs stabbed Turkey in the back.’ “

He noted “As Muslims, protection of the Muslim holy site is not a just a matter about whether it is possible to do more to protect, but a matter of faith.”

Those who cannot visit must help

"Those who are able to should visit al-Aqsa Mosque. Those who cannot visit al-Aqsa should send aid to our brothers there," urged Erdoğan.

Erdoğan called on all Muslims to protect al-Aqsa, which in turn will make it difficult for Israel to carry on with its plans.

"The reason Israeli soldiers carelessly pollute the grounds of the Noble Sanctuary with their combat boots by using simple issues as a pretext and then easily spill blood there is that we have not done enough to stake our claim over Jerusalem," Erdoğan said.

A Qatari artist and calligrapher, known on social media with her alias “Ghada”, has shared a graphic design welcoming Erdoğan’s visit to Qatar with the Arabic word “al-Zaeem”, meaning leader, decorated with the Turkish star and crescent, which was shared widely by Qataris to express their support for the friendship that exists between their country and Turkey.

Germany 'turning blind eye' to Turkey's concerns A relationship based on trust, mutual interest, equality and respect is necessary between Turkey and Europe, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin wrote on Tuesday."Turks, Germans and Europeans have to work hard to avoid irrational attitudes and irresponsible policies that end up hurting everyone," Kalin, a top aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, wrote in a column for Turkey's Daily Sabah newspaper, headlined "Turkey, Germany, Europe quo vadis?"He said German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel announced a major policy change on Turkey instead of a positive climate to emerge last week. "Where did this come from? What lies behind it?"German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel announced in a news conference last Thursday it would not encourage German businesses to invest in Turkey, in an apparent attempt to increase pressure on Ankara to release German citizen Peter Steudtner.Germany also issued new travel warnings for its citizens wishing to visit Turkey."Two recent incidents are mentioned as a possible cause for this policy shift," Kalin said."The first is the detention of a German citizen in Turkey for allegedly being involved in unlawful acts. The second is the claim that Turkey is investigating German companies in Turkey as part of the ongoing Gulenist Terror Group [FETO] investigation.“The German government went so far as to claim that German citizens and companies are not safe in Turkey. Both charges are baseless."Steudtner was among 10 people arrested in a police raid during a meeting in Buyukada, one of the Princes’ Islands near Istanbul, for allegedly planning provocative events that would fuel unrest across Turkey similar to the Gezi Park incidents in 2013.A Turkish court on Tuesday remanded in custody Steudtner on charges of aiding an armed terrorist organization.German Foreign Ministry on Wednesday called on Turkish authorities to release Steudtner, calling his detention “unjustified” and charges against the group “absurd”."There is no threat to German or other foreign citizens in Turkey while visiting or doing business," the presidential aide said."The cited case of the detention of a German citizen is a judicial process and only the courts will give the final verdict."There is also no blacklist of German companies being investigated or targeted in any way. There are around 7,000 German companies in Turkey, and some have been doing business in Turkey for almost a century. No foreign company has been shut down or investigated after the July 15 coup attempt. The companies that have been shut down or confiscated are solely those of the FETO network."The presidential spokesman also said German government's next move will be to take its case to the rest of Europe, "meaning that it will use its power to mobilize other European countries against Turkey"."How much longer will Germany turn a blind eye to Turkey's legitimate security concerns over the presence of the PKK, FETO and other groups whose primary trait is open animosity toward Turkey, a NATO ally and an EU candidate country?" Kalin asked.He also highlighted that "this state of affairs must be rejected at a time when such global problems as inequality, injustice, terrorism, alienation and mistrust require global partnership and understanding"."A relationship based on trust, mutual interest, equality and respect is possible and necessary between Turkey and Europe. Turks, Germans and Europeans have to work hard to avoid irrational attitudes and irresponsible policies that end up hurting everyone."

Erdoğan urges Muslims worldwide to protect Al-Aqsa President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has urged Muslims to play their role in protecting the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.Anger has spilled across the West Bank since last week when Israel shut the Al-Aqsa Mosque, venerated by Muslims and Jews -- who call the site Temple Mount -- following a deadly shootout.The mosque was reopened after two days, with Israel installing metal detectors and cameras at its gates.Three Palestinians were killed Friday in protests against the Israeli measures around the holy site. Three Israelis were also killed in an attack in a settlement in the West Bank.Addressing the Justice and Development (AK) Party's parliamentary group meeting in Ankara on Tuesday, Erdoğan said: "When Israeli soldiers carelessly pollute the grounds of Al-Aqsa with their combat boots by using simple issues as a pretext and then easily spill blood there, the reason [they are able to do that] is we [Muslims] have not done enough to stake our claim over Jerusalem."Erdoğan said protection of the Muslim holy site is not a just a matter about whether it is possible to do more to protect but a matter of faith."Those who are able to should visit Al-Aqsa. For those who cannot visit Al-Aqsa should send aid to our brothers there."Israel's security cabinet decided late Monday to remove the metal detectors.Video: Israel removes metal detectors from al-AqsaA statement released after the meeting said 100 million Israeli shekels would be allocated for a new surveillance system using "smart checks" based on advanced technology.Jerusalem is sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque represents the Islamic world's third-holiest site after the cities of Mecca and Medina.Erdoğan says Gulf trip 'productive', will continue effortsTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday described his trip to the Gulf to deal with the Qatar crisis as "productive and successful", following two days of talks that appeared to yield no immediate progress towards healing the rift."The visits on the Gulf tour were productive and successful," Erdoğan told lawmakers from his ruling AK Party at a parliamentary meeting."The contacts we have made during this visit have been useful, and we will continue our efforts for the stability and peace of the region with increasing determination."Erdogan left Qatar on Monday after two days in the Gulf trying to mediate in the worst row among Arab states for years but there was no sign he had made any progress. Turkey has been Qatar's most powerful ally in the dispute. Erdoğan: Gulf tour, an important step to establish a climate of securityTurkish president ends 2-day Gulf visitPalestinian wounded in clashes with Israeli soldiers

Erdoğan: Gulf tour, an important step to establish a climate of security Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has arrived in Ankara following a two-day Gulf tour that included stops in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar, after he held “productive” meetings with Arab leaders in a bid to find a solution to the ongoing Qatar crisis, which were later described by Erdoğan as “an important step to establish a climate of security and stability in the region”.Qatari Emir met Erdoğan at the airportQatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received President Erdoğan at the International Hamad Airport in the capital Doha, accompanied by Turkey’s Ambassador to Qatar Fikret Özer and several other officials. Erdoğan held a one-on-one meeting with the Qatari Emir that lasted for approximately two-and-half hours as the two countries’ respective delegations also carried out separate meetings.Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, along with Egypt, cut diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar on June 4, accusing Doha of supporting "extremism" and their regional ally Iran - charges that Qatar has repeatedly denied.Erdoğan also met with the Emir’s FatherPresident Erdoğan later attended a lunch in his honor in al-Wajbah Palace where he met with the Emir’s father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah al-Thani.The two leaders discussed several issues during the nearly-one hour long meeting, including latest developments concerning the ongoing Qatar crisis and the steps taken towards resolving it. Erdoğan arrived in Turkey later in the evening and held a press meeting at the airport in Ankara, where he proclaimed the visits as “very successful,” noting that he carried out consultations during the meetings held during the two-day tour with regards to what needs to be done in order to resolve the Qatar crisis.Kuwait has our support“I believe our last visits and meetings constitute an important step towards establishing a climate of stability and mutual security. I conveyed to King Salman during our meeting in Saudi Arabia the great expectations we hold for him to solve this crisis. The visit was also an opportunity for us to hold meetings with crown prince Muhammad bin Salman. We also discussed bilateral and regional matters with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah. We evaluated the possibility of further advancing our economic and commercial cooperation. We also expressed to Sheikh Sabah our readiness to support Kuwait’s mediation efforts in the Gulf Crisis, “ stated Erdoğan.Qatar must be respectedQatar was the last stop in Erdoğan’s two-day Gulf tour where the Turkish president held “extremely productive” meetings with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim. “We are pleased by the operations carried out by the High Strategic Committee that we established on the presidential level. We both emphasized our will to continue bilateral dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. I conveyed to Emir Sheikh Tamim my admiration for the level-headed approach he displayed for the duration of the crisis. I want to stress the need to protect Qatar’s sovereign right as a country. We used the opportunity also to discuss regional matters during our talks, “ concluded Erdoğan.Turkish president ends 2-day Gulf visitIsrael heads towards isolation: ErdoğanErdoğan: Purchasing S-400 from Russia not 'worrying'

Pentagon dodges SDF ‘rebranding’ question The Pentagon on Monday eluded question regarding statements by a spokesman who said the U.S. urged the terrorist PKK/PYD organization to “rebrand” itself to make the group more acceptable to Turkey.“I don’t have anything on that,” was spokesman Jeff Davis’ response to an Anadolu Agency question about the comments delivered last week by Army Gen. Raymond Thomas at a security conference.Thomas said the U.S. urged its main Syrian ally to rebrand itself as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to avoid Turkish concerns and to give the terror group a voice in Syria's future.But Davis attempted to gloss over the issue Monday.US Commander confesses name game“We have worked very hard to change the ethnic composition of the SDF and when it started it was primarily ethnic Kurds,” Davis said, claiming the split is now “50/50 " between Kurds and Sunni Arabs.Davis claimed the SDF is a “multi-ethnic representative force” and “the most effective fighting force” in Syria in terms of getting towns and cities liberated from Daesh.The U.S. has supported the PKK/PYD, along with several other Arab terrorist groups under the umbrella of the SDF. Washington continues to provide those groups with arms and equipment against strong objections from Turkey, that views the PKK/PYD as the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terror group that has waged a deadly 30-year campaign against the state.It is a designated terror group in Turkey, the U.S., and EU.Turning to the S-400 air defense systems deal between Ankara and Moscow, Davis said Turkey has the right to make decisions on its own about buying the system from Russia but he voiced concern about the equipment's compatibility."Turkey is a NATO ally and one of the cornerstone things we like to have with any our allies that operate, exercise and prepare to work together on common defense, which is the NATO is all about, is the ability to have equipment interoperates," Davis said. "That is how you have effective force can work together," he added.Those comments follow remarks by U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford, who told the security conference Washington would be concerned if Turkey bought the air defense systems from Russia.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday responded by saying the purchase is not "worrying.”"Every country needs to take certain measures for its own security," Erdogan told reporters.The S-400 system was introduced in 2007 and can carry three types of missiles capable of destroying ground and air targets, including ballistic and cruise missiles.Ankara this year said it might buy the S-400 to build Turkey's first long-range air and anti-missile defense system to guard against threats in the region.After unsuccessful negotiations with the U.S, Turkey reached an agreement on the S-400 with Russia.