“Israel has created the illusion on the international stage that it seeks its own security. However, especially in recent years, it has become clear that Israel seeks more territory. This is the reality. Israel does not seek its own security; it seeks more land. Security is being used by the Netanyahu government as an excuse to occupy more territory“, said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in a panel held during the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026.
“This process began in the Palestinian territories and an expansionist policy is being pursued, extending from Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem to Lebanon and Syria. This is an ongoing occupation and expansionist policy in the region. This must stop“, Fidan is categorical.
According to him, Israel can live in lasting peace in the region only if it respects the security, sovereignty and freedoms of other countries, “The expansionist policy of the Israelis, aimed at acquiring more land, is a very big problem on a regional scale“, he believes.
Regional cooperation plays a key role. “In the old system, everyone, especially here in the region, was waiting for the hegemon to come and solve the problem. When the hegemon comes to solve the problem, he creates more problems than the solution and this happens again and again“, he stated. Therefore, it is time for the countries of the region to unite, see the problem and start solving it.
“Order needs to be introduced, because the old way of solving problems – most of the time involving war, is not helping us. "Too much destruction, too much bloodshed, too much instability and too much spillover to the rest of the world. Whatever happens in this part of the world, it soon comes and finds other countries in a very negative way." This is how Fidan commented on what is happening between the US and Iran.