Turkey's FM says Israel uses security to seize land
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- Hakan Fidan accused Israel of using security concerns as a pretext to seize more land during a panel at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on April 18, 2026.
- Israel was described as pursuing "onward occupation and expansionism" from Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem toward Lebanon and Syria.
- Turkey and Israel have a history of diplomatic tension, notably the 2010 flotilla raid that killed nine Turkish activists and one US national.
- Hakan Fidan met with the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt at the forum to discuss regional challenges, including the West Asia conflict.
- Turkey's diplomatic focus on the Russia‑Ukraine war has been sidelined by Iran‑related tensions, according to Fidan, who urged a return to Ukraine talks once Iran issues ease.
- Sergei Lavrov and Andrii Sybiha are slated to speak at separate panels during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, highlighting Turkey’s role in hosting Russia‑Ukraine negotiations.
Why it matters: The claim underscores a deepening rift that could hamper Israel's ability to justify security actions and weaken its regional standing, while Turkey positions itself as a champion of sovereignty and seeks to shift attention back to the Russia‑Ukraine peace process once Iran‑related tensions subside.
