Ankara — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has dismissed the possibility of a direct military confrontation between Turkey and Israel, while sharply criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and warning that its regional policies threaten not only the Middle East but global security.
In an interview with UAE-based newspaper The National, Fidan said he believes there is currently no justification for a direct conflict between Ankara and Tel Aviv, despite rising tensions and increasingly hostile rhetoric in recent months.
“There is no reason for a direct war between Turkey and Israel,” Fidan said, adding that he believes influential voices still exist within Israel that favor a more strategic and long-term approach than the policies pursued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political allies.
According to Fidan, Israel’s current leadership is searching for a new external adversary as domestic political pressure mounts ahead of upcoming elections.
“After confronting Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, they are now trying to portray Turkey as the next enemy,” he said.
The Turkish foreign minister argued that the policies of Netanyahu’s government have become a growing source of instability across the region.
“These policies are not only a problem for Turkey. They represent a danger to Israel itself, neighboring countries, and even global peace and economic stability,” Fidan stated.
He added that during his diplomatic meetings abroad, many international leaders have privately expressed similar concerns, noting that European governments are increasingly recognizing what Turkey has long warned about. Fidan also claimed that US President Donald Trump has begun acknowledging the broader regional risks posed by the current situation.
Syria Warning
Addressing the situation in Syria, Fidan warned that Turkey would reassess its regional strategy if Israel attempted to create further instability inside the country.
“If Israel seeks to fuel instability in Syria, Turkey will review its plans and determine the necessary response based on developments on the ground,” he said.
New Regional Security Framework
Fidan also revealed that Turkey is working closely with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Egypt on establishing a new regional security mechanism designed to improve coordination during crises.
He emphasized that the proposed framework would not replace existing organizations such as the Arab League or the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), but instead would serve as a faster decision-making platform capable of responding more effectively to emerging regional threats.
According to Fidan, the initiative would be based on two fundamental principles: full respect for every nation’s sovereignty and the protection of internationally recognized borders.
Calls for Respect of National Borders
The Turkish foreign minister acknowledged that both Israel and Iran have faced criticism over their regional policies.
He said Israel has justified territorial expansion on security grounds, while Iran has frequently been accused of interfering in neighboring countries through armed groups it supports.
Fidan argued that any future regional settlement should include guarantees protecting the sovereignty of every state, with all countries respecting internationally recognized borders and refraining from interference in each other’s internal affairs.
Turkey Rejects Further Conflict
Concluding the interview, Fidan stressed that Ankara does not seek another regional conflict.
“We do not want new wars or new hostility,” he said. “But neither will we accept efforts to turn our region into a battlefield where political ambitions are pursued at the expense of the future of its people.”
His remarks come amid heightened regional tensions and continuing diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing wider instability across the Middle East.
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