Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has accused Israel of using security concerns as a justification to expand its territory, claiming that the Israeli government is pursuing “more land” rather than genuine security.
Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Fidan said Israel’s security narrative has been used as a cover for occupation policies. He specifically referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging that the current government is exploiting the concept of security to justify territorial expansion.
Fidan argued that Israel has created an international perception of acting purely in self-defence, but said recent developments suggest a broader agenda. He pointed to Palestinian territories, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as well as Lebanon and Syria, describing the situation as a pattern of “continuous occupation and expansion.”
He stressed that such actions must stop and said regional stability depends on all countries respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right to security without external domination.
Relations between Turkiye and Israel have become increasingly strained since the outbreak of the Gaza war following the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas. Turkiye has consistently been one of Israel’s strongest critics and has taken part in diplomatic efforts with Pakistan and Egypt aimed at reducing regional tensions during recent conflicts.
Fidan’s remarks follow earlier sharp exchanges between Ankara and Tel Aviv, including a strongly worded response from the Turkish foreign ministry to Netanyahu’s comments earlier this month.
He has also previously stated that Israel “cannot live without an enemy” and suggested that Turkiye is being framed as a potential new adversary, calling it part of a broader strategic shift in Israeli policy.
