Turkey-educated Palestinians blast US sanctions

By Esat Firat

JERUSALEM

The Association of Palestinian Graduates from Turkish Universities has condemned sanctions recently imposed on Turkey by the U.S.

In a Thursday statement, the association said: “We condemn this unjust attack on the Turkish economy. We stand with the Turkish people and economy.”

“Turkey’s economy is strong and resilient, and this heinous attack will be overcome with the help of the Muslim Ummah and the free world,” it added.

Relations between Ankara and Washington have been rocky since Aug. 1, when the latter imposed sanctions on two Turkish government ministers after the Turkish authorities refused to release an American pastor who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump upped the ante by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports.

In response, Turkey raised tariffs on several U.S.-made goods, including alcohol and tobacco products and vehicles.