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Türkiye's main opposition leader, Ozgur Ozel, sharply criticized comments by U.S. Syria Special Envoy and Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack regarding nation-states in the Middle East posing threats to Israel.
Speaking at a rally in Istanbul's Bakirkoy district Wednesday, Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Ozel responded to Barrack's recent remarks to the Associated Press, in which the envoy said "strong nation states are a threat" and that "Arab states in particular are seen as a threat to Israel."
"What nation-states did you leave in this geography? The nation-state in this region is the Republic of Türkiye—it poses no threat to anyone, but it will not bow to any threat either," Ozel said, addressing Barrack's comments directly.
The CHP leader referenced historical treaties, saying, "As the leader of a party whose founder said 'peace at home, peace in the world,' we will be present on the anniversary of tearing up Sèvres tomorrow. As the party that made Lausanne, we will not let these people walk all over us."
In his interview with the Associated Press, Barrack had stated that Israel would prefer to see Syria "fragmented and divided" rather than controlled by a strong central state. "Strong nation states are a threat. Arab states in particular are seen as a threat to Israel," the U.S. official said.
Barrack made these comments while discussing Israel's military interventions in Syria, which he described as having "quite bad timing" and creating "a very confusing new chapter."
He noted that Israel's strikes on Syrian government facilities were not coordinated with the United States.
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Ozel used the occasion to criticize what he characterized as attempts to divide Türkiye along sectarian lines. "This country belongs to those who defend the republic with its Turks, Kurds, Laz, and Circassians," he said.
The opposition leader emphasized that religious schools, technical schools, and other educational institutions "all belong to us" and are not the property of any single political party, apparently referring to recent controversies over irregularities in national exams.
Barrack's comments came as the United States continues to engage with Syria's new transitional government following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The envoy stated that Washington has no "Plan B" other than working with the current Syrian authorities.
The U.S. official also addressed ongoing violence in southern Syria between Druze groups, Bedouin tribes, and government forces, calling the casualties "unacceptable" while defending the new Syrian government's efforts despite limited resources.
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