The Israel-Turkey dispute intensified after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Ankara of hypocrisy in response to criticism by his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan over Israeli actions in Syria.
Fidan accused Israel of destabilising Syria, prompting Saar to argue that the criticism came from a country that has, according to him, violated Syrian sovereignty for decades and maintains military forces in Syria, Iraq and the occupied northern part of Cyprus.
Saar rejects Turkish criticism
“The same Turkish leadership that has violated Syria’s sovereignty for decades is cynically lecturing others on international law,” Saar said in a post on X.
The Israeli Foreign Minister claimed that Turkey controls around 5% of Syrian territory and is seeking to establish military bases inside the country, which he said would undermine Israel’s security.
By contrast, Saar said the security zone controlled by Israel represents around 0.1% of Syrian territory.
He argued that Israel’s presence became necessary after what he described as the entry of Syrian terrorists into the demilitarised zone in December 2024, in violation of the 1974 Israel-Syria Disengagement Agreement.
Dispute expands over regional policies
Saar also referred to Turkish military operations against Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq, as well as Turkey’s continued military presence in Cyprus.
“What Fidan wants is for Israel to stop protecting itself from security threats. This will not happen,” Saar said.
The latest Israel Turkey dispute comes days after Fidan met in Ankara with a Hamas delegation led by the organisation’s newly appointed leader, Khalil al-Hayya.
Fidan congratulated al-Hayya on his appointment and reiterated Turkey’s support for Hamas.
Meeting with Hamas delegation draws attention
Al-Hayya, who left Gaza before the October 7, 2023 attacks and is mainly based in Qatar, previously described the attacks, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 abducted, as a “source of pride” that should be passed down through generations.
The meeting has further heightened tensions between Israel and Turkey, which have repeatedly clashed over regional security issues, Syria and the war in Gaza.
Also read: Reuters: US urges Syria to reduce energy ties with Russia
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