Turkey has not been silent and will not remain silent against Israeli oppression of Palestinians, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday, stressing that it will not be possible to establish lasting peace and stability in the region while Israel’s policies continue.

Peace and stability in the region will not be possible as long as the Israeli occupation continues, Erdogan stressed, saying Turkey will never remain silent in the face of “Israel’s atrocities in Palestine” causing a greater rift between Turkey and Israel and making clear Turkey’s hostile attitude towards the new Israeli government.

According to the Turkish Presidency, Erdogan and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas discussed regional developments and measures to strengthen bilateral ties, Turkey’s Communications Directorate said.

He also expressed “satisfaction with the positive course of bilateral relations with Palestine”

Following the meeting of the presidents, delegations from both countries met for talks also attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Communications Director Fahlin Altun, Presidential RepresentativeIbrahim Kalin and The Head of the National Intelligence Service (MIT) Hakan Fidan.