Hundreds stage anti-Israel protest in Turkey over violence at Al Aqsa

Istanbul:  Some 500 pro-Islamic Turks have held an anti-Israel protest in Istanbul over violence at a Jerusalem holy site claimed by both Arabs and Jews.

The protesters on Monday marched toward the heavily guarded Israeli Consulate and burned an Israeli flag, chanting "We will protect Al Aqsa mosque."

Muslims regard Al Aqsa as Islam's third-holiest site.

Relations between Israel and Turkey  have soured since Israel's war  in Gaza at the beginning of this year.

Earlier this month, Turkey canceled a military exercise in which Israeli pilots were  to participate. Tensions deepened after Turkey's state-run TV aired a drama series that portrays Israeli soldiers as cruel and repressive.