ANTALYA: Turkiye’s top diplomat on Saturday accused Israel of creating an international “illusion” and using security concerns as a pretext to seize “more land”, in the latest flare-up in escalating tensions between the two regional powers.

Israel and Turkiye have been trading near-daily diplomatic barbs over a range of regional conflicts, from Israel’s war in Gaza to rising tensions linked to Iran.

“Israel is not after its own security. Israel is after more land,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in the Mediterranean resort city.

“Security is being used by the Netanyahu government as an excuse to occupy more land,” he added, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Slams policies in Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as actions toward Lebanon and Syria

Speaking in English at a panel discussion, Fidan said Israel had created an “illusion” internationally by portraying itself as acting purely in its own defence.

“It has become very clear, especially in recent years, that it is more than that,” he said.

From Palestinian lands including Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and now extending towards Lebanon and Syria, Israel was pursuing “an onward occupation and expansionism in the region”, Fidan said.

“I think this has to stop. Israel has to know that the only way to live peacefully in the region is to let other countries enjoy their own security, territorial integrity and freedom, and not to use power against them,” he added.

Turkiye and Israel have frequently been at odds, including over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and differences over Syria’s future.

Relations were severely strained in 2010 when Israeli forces raided a flotilla of ships attempting to bre­ach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, killing nine Turkish activists and one US national. The flotilla was co-organised by a Turkish aid group.

‘Move back to Russia-Ukraine talks’

Fidan on Friday met the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt for talks on regional issues, including the Middle East conflict, on the sidelines of the forum.

Asked about the discussions, Fidan said regional countries needed to come together to address shared challenges. “It is time for all of us to come together in a very mature way and own our problems,” he said, again singling out Israel as the only country seeking territorial gains.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2026