Newsletters
Türkiye "will not fall into the trap" set by Israel, the Turkish presidency said Thursday, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu targeted Ankara and Damascus following an Israeli airstrike on a northern Syrian airbase. Israel alleged a Turkish military delegation had recently visited the site, a claim Türkiye has firmly denied.
"We are experienced enough not to fall into the trap of figures like Netanyahu, who aim to undermine peace and stability in our region," said Burhanettin Duran, the Turkish presidency's director of communications, during an interview with the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA).
Asked about Netanyahu's comments targeting Türkiye, Duran said: "The threats and lies expressed by Netanyahu toward Türkiye and Syria in an interview are a new reflection of the Israeli prime minister's growing international isolation, political fears, and delusions."
He stated that Netanyahu's efforts to mislead international public opinion by manufacturing imaginary threats and enemies "no longer have any effect," arguing that the international community is united in recognizing "the malice of the policies he pursues." Duran added that backlash from the U.S., the U.K., and the wider international community against Israel's aggressive actions is steadily growing.
According to Duran, Netanyahu has clung to this "irrational stance" due to upcoming elections and domestic political anxieties. He noted that the prime minister views hostility toward Türkiye as "a political lifeline" and is stoking tensions across the region to compete for extremism with other radical parties.
Furthermore, Duran emphasized that Netanyahu's policies "from Gaza to Syria to Lebanon," Israel's tolerance of settler terrorism, and provocative statements by extremist figures within the cabinet have driven Israel's international standing to one of its lowest points in history.
He said that Netanyahu and his "accomplices" are trying to shift blame onto regional countries, noting that the attempt to implicate Türkiye following the strike in Syria is one of the clearest signs of this pattern.
Asked whether Netanyahu directly targeting Türkiye could mean Israel's "circle of attack" might expand toward Türkiye, Duran said the international community and regional countries were taking a strong stand against Netanyahu's "occupying mentality" and his project of starting a regional war, while supporting the establishment of peace and calm in the Middle East.
He said the entire region was uniting against what he described as a strategically destabilizing actor, particularly after witnessing the destruction and war caused by an aggressive neighbor over the past three years.
Duran said the Netanyahu government "in its current form" has abandoned all diplomatic and dialogue efforts, arguing that the government's core problem is equating security with continuous aggression rather than stability and diplomacy.
He said the fundamental dynamic behind Israel's stance toward Türkiye is not that Türkiye poses a threat to Israel, but rather that Türkiye's policies, backed by its current strength and influence, oppose the damage Israel is causing to regional security and stability.
Asked about the backlash within Israel against Netanyahu's remarks, Duran said Türkiye is dedicated to bringing peace and reconciliation to the region, as President Erdogan has stated. He emphasized that Türkiye's core concern is halting regional bloodshed and suffering, calling the situation in Gaza and the Palestinian issue a vital priority.
The Turkish official noted that Netanyahu's "major mistake" is heavily debated by the Israeli public. He pointed out that Israeli opposition figures have frequently condemned Netanyahu's anti-Turkish rhetoric as "irresponsible, extreme and foolish," causing deep anxiety within Israeli society. Duran added that even Israeli politicians acknowledge their country is losing allies one by one and becoming increasingly discredited, proving that no benefit has come from the tense policy pursued toward Ankara.
Duran described Türkiye as a NATO member that has repeatedly reinforced its regional and global influence, consolidated its hard power, and continuously developed its elite capabilities.
He said that the most rational approach for the Israeli government would be to halt further destabilizing steps. Instead of issuing threats, targeting the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, or planning new "pirate" settlements in the West Bank, Israel should work toward a two-state solution to fully resolve the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.
Asked how Türkiye would respond to this aggressive mindset, Duran said: "As Türkiye, we will continue to combat the destabilizing activities of the genocidal Netanyahu and to stand alongside all states, particularly Syria, that pursue peaceful policies in our region."
He described Türkiye as a cautious, composed, and powerful nation with a deeply rooted state tradition. "History clearly and unambiguously demonstrates that there is nothing we would not do for our own security, the survival of our state and the well-being of our nation. This understanding of ours has not changed today," Duran stated.
"But we are experienced enough not to fall into the games of figures like Netanyahu, who aim to undermine peace and stability in our region," he said. He added that Türkiye is globally respected for prioritizing and striving for regional and world peace.
"Türkiye's prudent and peaceful foreign policy will thwart the bloody games of discredited figures like Netanyahu, who would not hesitate to set the region ablaze to secure their own political futures," Duran emphasized.
"No one can disturb the peace of our nation and our friends. Türkiye will never allow this," the official concluded.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
2 min read
1 min read
