Doha: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has voiced concerns over what he describes as Israeli expansionist policies affecting not just Palestine but the broader Middle East region. Speaking to the Qatari Al-Jazeera channel after attending the preparatory ministerial meeting for the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States in Doha, Fidan emphasized Turkey’s continued support for Qatar, highlighting the strong ties between the two nations.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Fidan stressed that the issue at hand extends beyond the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He accused Israel of pursuing expansionist policies that aim to weaken and divide neighboring countries, including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt. These policies, he argued, are part of a broader strategy to create a “Greater Israel.”

Fidan revealed that Turkey is actively engaging with these neighboring countries and closely monitoring the situation. He noted that Israeli attacks on Syria
have persisted since the era of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, though they have somewhat diminished recently. He also expressed concern over the dangerous developments in southern Syria, warning that further division along societal fault lines could destabilize the region.

Highlighting the complexities of international relations, Fidan criticized the United States’ unwavering support for Israel, suggesting it complicates America’s standing in the region and strains its alliances. He called for a reevaluation of this relationship, emphasizing that Israel’s actions not only threaten regional stability but also global security and the international order led by the US.

The Turkish Foreign Minister reiterated that the root of the regional conflict lies in Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, which has evolved into a broader threat against Arab and Islamic countries. He pointed out Israel’s recent attack on Qatar as a pressing issue that needs urgent attention.

Fidan urged Arab and Islamic nations
to collectively address the problem of Israeli expansionism, proposing a solution that prioritizes regional security based on solid, institutional foundations. He stressed the importance of regional cooperation in transcending issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity, which are currently jeopardized by Israel’s aggressive policies.