13 September 2011 Last updated at 19:05 GMT Share this page Email Print 540 Share Facebook Twitter Turkish PM Erdogan pushes Palestinian statehood Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (r) visits the tomb of the late former President Anwar al-Sadat and Unknown Soldier monument in Cairo Mr Erdogan (r) is trying to improve Turkey's standing in the Middle East Continue reading the main story Gaza Flotilla Clash Flotilla fallout Q&A: Israeli deadly flotilla raid Press review: Turkey-Israel spat Turkey to take Israel to UN court Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that recognition of a Palestinian state is an obligation not an option. He told the Arab League that before the year's end "we will see Palestine in a very different situation". Mr Erdogan made a new attack on Israel, saying its government's mentality was a barrier to peace in the Middle East. The Palestinians are currently preparing a bid for United Nations membership despite Israeli and US opposition. Mr Erdogan is in Egypt as part of a tour of three Arab states that recently ousted their leaders, in an attempt to improve Turkey's standing in the region. Turkey's relations with Israel have worsened since Israeli forces boarded an aid ship in May last year as it was heading for Gaza. Nine Turkish activists were killed during the raid. Israel has refused to apologise and said its troops acted in self-defence. 'Spoilt child' Continue reading the main story “Start Quote Let's raise the Palestinian flag and let that flag be the symbol of peace and justice in the Middle East” Recep Tayyip Erdogan Turkish prime minister The Turkish leader, who has won popularity among Arabs for his denunciations of Israel, was earlier met by an enthusiastic crowd in Cairo. Mr Erdogan called for support for the Palestinians' attempt to achieve recognition at the UN. "We must work hand in hand with our Palestinian brothers. The Palestinian cause is the cause of human dignity," he told a foreign ministers' meeting at the Cairo headquarters of the Arab League. His remarks were broadcast live on Egyptian TV. "It's time to raise the Palestinian flag at the United Nations. Let's raise the Palestinian flag and let that flag be the symbol of peace and justice in the Middle East." Continue reading the main story Analysis Jonathan Head BBC News, Cairo That Mr Erdogan bashed Israel again surprised no-one. It is the key to Mr Erdogan's extraordinary popularity in the Arab world, and Turkey still has unsettled grievances from last year's flotilla incident. But he went much further, presenting himself as a champion of change everywhere in the region. Arab states should be more supportive of the Palestinians. They should listen to their own people. He warned of sectarian war in Syria. And he urged all Arabs not to be afraid of embracing democracy, citing his own country as a place where pluralism, religion and export-driven prosperity have been able to flourish. It's a powerful message for Arab people accustomed to corrupt and repressive government. It is less appealing for most Arab rulers, even Egypt's, post-Mubarak. But Mr Erdogan seems to have made a calculation, that challenging the status quo in the Middle East will profit Turkey more than placating it. His much vaunted "zero problems with neighbours" foreign policy launched three years ago is in tatters after some of those regimes collapsed or are near to it. But Turkey is hoping to be in pole position to profit when the new regimes have taken root. He accused Israel of behaving like a spoilt child and building a blockade round its own people through its policies. "Israel will break away from solitude only when it acts as a reasonable, responsible, serious and normal state," he said. The BBC's Jonathan Head in Cairo says that, while there were no new threats in the speech, it was fiery enough to sustain Mr Erdogan's reputation as a champion of ordinary people in the Arab world without alarming Arab governments that have resisted change. The Turkish prime minister made an appeal for freedom and democracy in the region. "The legitimate demands of the people cannot be repressed with force and in blood," he said. "Freedom and democracy and human rights must be a united slogan for the future of our people." Meanwhile in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday, Mr Erdogan warned of possible civil war in Syria between majority Sunni Muslims and Alawites, who make up the ruling elite. More than 2,500 people have already died there in pro-democracy protests since March. Mr Erdogan's tour will continue with a visit to Tunisia, where the popular overthrow of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January sparked similar movements across the region, including Libya. Mr Erdogan has said he will not attempt to carry out his plan to travel to Gaza from Egypt during this trip, but hopes that he can travel there in the near future. Are you in Egypt or the wider region? What are your thoughts on Mr Erdogan's tour? What impact will it have? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below. (Required) Name (Required) Your E-mail address (Required) Town & Country (Required) Your telephone number (Required) Comments If you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist please leave a telephone number that we can contact you on. In some cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name as you provide it and location, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions. Terms and conditions More on This Story Gaza Flotilla Clash Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet DavutogluFlotilla fallout New low in Turkish ties with Israel Q&A: Israeli deadly flotilla raid Press review: Turkey-Israel spat Turkey to take Israel to UN court Turkey vows new Israel sanctions Commandos board Gaza boat Israel blocks 'flytilla' protest Israel apologises for spoof video Guides Gaza flotilla: Activist accounts Commandos give their accounts Guide: Eased Gaza blockade Profile: Free Gaza Movement Israeli raid: What went wrong? Inquiries & Reports UN report: Flotilla raid 'excessive' UN rights body: Raid 'broke law' Israel: Flotilla raid 'was legal' Turkey: Israel's actions 'piracy' Watch Watch/Listen Panorama: Death on the Med Israeli army footage Watch Turkish activist footage Watch Interception was 'horrific' Watch Commando describes raid Listen Israel defends itself Watch From other news sites Al Jazeera Erdogan slams Israel on start of Arab tour 43 mins ago Reuters India Turkish PM throws weight behind Arab cause 49 mins ago Miami Herald Turkish premier's blast at Israel welcomed in Cairo 1 hr ago Telegraph Turkey backs Palestinian state 1 hr ago Financial Times* Erdogan rallies League against Israel 5 hrs ago About these results * May require registration or subscription Share this page 540 Share Facebook Twitter Email Print Ads by Google Expat Living In Malaysia? £100k+ UK Pension? You Can Save Tax & Improve Growth. Free Guide Here! 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