July 29, 2016•Update: July 29, 2016
By Saliha Ozdemir
ISTANBUL
A Palestinian commander and author who is currently behind bars in Israel's Rimon Prison has expressed solidarity with the Turkish government following the July 15 coup attempt.
Abdullah Ghaleb Barghouti condemned the failed coup in a letter sent from prison to Ekin Publishing, the Turkish publisher of one of his books.
Addressing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he said: "Be patient, Mr. Erdogan, and continue taking the right path."
He also praised the Turkish nation and its protests against the failed coup, which he said "proved how honorable and dignified they are."
"You showed the world what love of country and love of ummah [community] is."
On the night of July 15, when rogue elements of the military tried to overthrow Turkey's democratically elected government, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest the coup attempt.
The failed attempt martyred at least 246 and wounded more than 2,100 people.
Thousands of soldiers have been remanded into custody while investigations and operations are still underway to find the remaining coup forces.
Barghouti, who is serving out a record 67 life sentences for allegedly killing Israeli citizens, called the coup plotters in Turkey "traitors."
