Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Recep Tayyip ErdoganReuters

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday urged all Muslims to “visit” and “protect” Jerusalem.

"From here I make a call to all Muslims. Anyone who has the opportunity should visit Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa mosque," Erdogan said in Ankara. "Come, let's all protect Jerusalem."

"They are attempting to take the mosque from Muslim hands on the pretext of fighting terrorism. There is no other explanation," Erdogan said in a speech to ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers in parliament.

He said Israel's legitimacy rested on the extent of the respect it showed to Palestinian Arabs and their rights.

Erdogan also denounced attacks on synagogues in Turkey, referring to reports that Turkish extremists 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.