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Israel built anti-Islam alliance, says Turkish foreign minister

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan holds a press conference during the closing ceremony of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Antalya, on April 19, 2026. (AA Photo)
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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan holds a press conference during the closing ceremony of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Antalya, on April 19, 2026. (AA Photo)
April 19, 2026 01:59 PM GMT+03:00

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan closed the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Sunday by accusing Israel of building an "anti-Islam alliance" with Greece and Greek Cyprus backed by concrete military structures.

He called Israeli expansionism "a security problem for the entire world" and expressed optimism that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire would be extended.

Türkiye's top diplomat also warned that Israel was attempting to exploit the distraction of Iran negotiations to create a "fait accompli" in Lebanon.

'Israel built anti-Islam alliance'

Fidan named the Israel-Greece-Greek Cyprus security relationship directly, stating, "Israel has established an anti-Islam alliance."

"Israel is in alliance with Greek Cyprus and Greece. There are concrete military structures; we cannot ignore this. In Europe, there is no other country that has signed such cooperation with Israel, except Greece," the Türkiye's top diplomat.

"It would also be wrong to say Türkiye is producing an unnecessary concern here. Türkiye has the power to protect itself. There are also other countries that view this military alliance with concern," he added.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan answers questions from journalists during a press conference at the closing of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Antalya, April 19, 2026. (AA Photo)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan answers questions from journalists during a press conference at the closing of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) in Antalya, April 19, 2026. (AA Photo)

'Israeli expansionism now global security problem'

Fidan elevated the framing of Israeli expansionism beyond the region.

"Israeli expansionism is not only the region's problem, it has now become a security problem for the entire world. The question of how and by what means the international community will stop this expansionism is itself one of the main agenda items of the international community. We are talking about a fundamentalist government," the Fidan stated.

"We are talking about a security problem that troubles the world," he noted.

He said Israel's primary intent was the depopulation of Gaza, noting, "Everyone knows about Israel's primary intent, the policy of depopulating Gaza either by killing people or by driving them out."

"We are putting very serious effort into taking the necessary steps," he added.

Israeli soldiers patrol along the Israel-Lebanon border on April 16, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Israeli soldiers patrol along the Israel-Lebanon border on April 16, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Israel using Iran talks to create 'fait accompli' in Lebanon

Fidan accused Israel of exploiting the diplomatic focus on Iran to advance its position in Lebanon.

"The ongoing Iran-U.S. negotiations seem to be overshadowing the situation in Lebanon. Israel appears to be trying to take advantage of this distraction to create a fait accompli," he said.

He expressed solidarity with Lebanon. "Lebanon is once again falling victim to the merciless grip of war. While it struggles amid fragmentation, encountering Israeli occupation, this must not be permitted, and we will do everything in our power to prevent it," he said.

An Israeli soldier patrols along the Israel-Lebanon border on April 10, 2026. (AFP Photo)
An Israeli soldier patrols along the Israel-Lebanon border on April 10, 2026. (AFP Photo)

'I am optimistic ceasefire will be extended'

Fidan expressed measured confidence in the Iran-U.S. ceasefire, set to expire on Wednesday, April 22.

"No one wants to see a new war break out when the ceasefire expires next week. We hope the parties will extend the ceasefire. I hope there'll be an extension, I am optimistic," he said.

He said he had spoken with Pakistani officials on Sunday but declined to give a date for new talks.

"The continuation of negotiations is something the entire international community wants. There is significant pressure in this regard. Under this level of pressure, I believe the parties should not see any obstacle to extending the ceasefire in order to continue peace negotiations," the Turkish top diplomat said.

He added that unless the sides chose confrontation, "there is a strong possibility that the ceasefire will be extended and negotiations will continue."

He said the ceasefire extension was necessary because "two weeks is not enough time for the U.S. and Iran to resolve their issues."

On the state of talks, he said: "It is clear that the negotiations have reached a critical stage. Both sides are continuing the talks with a genuine sense of sincerity. They also have the will to keep the process going."

Motorists drive under a footbridge with a billboard reading in Persian "Every missile has a message" along a busy street in Tehran, April 19, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Motorists drive under a footbridge with a billboard reading in Persian "Every missile has a message" along a busy street in Tehran, April 19, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Quad meetings, Gaza peace plan and forum record numbers

Fidan said the forum had held the third meeting of the Türkiye-Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Egypt quartet, focused on steps supporting regional peace and stability and the permanent establishment of freedom of navigation.

"We identified concrete steps to develop a shared vision for the region's future," he said.

He said six Muslim countries had met to address the Gaza Peace Plan and confirmed their shared will on the process. "Mechanisms like the Peace Council have begun to be implemented. We mainly discussed where we stand in the vision of stopping the Gaza genocide and reversing it," he said.

On the forum's scale, Fidan said it had hosted 23 heads of state and government, 13 vice presidents, 50 ministers, and 87 senior representatives of international organizations, with 6,400 participants from 150 countries and 66 international organizations across 52 sessions.

"Three days in which the pulse of global diplomacy once again beat in Antalya," he stated.

April 19, 2026 04:09 PM GMT+03:00
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