Fidan: Netanyahu targets Turkey as a new enemy ahead of elections

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made important assessments regarding the rising tensions between Turkey and Israel in an exclusive interview with American journalist Hadley Gamble. Fidan suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is trying to create an artificial enemy to steer his country's agenda ahead of upcoming elections. In this context, he stated that the Netanyahu government prefers to put Turkey in the crosshairs and deliberately escalates the situation. The Minister clarified the situation by adding that there is no logical reason for an open conflict to occur between the two countries.

According to Fidan's analysis, the Israeli administration believes that the long and exhausting conflicts it has been waging against Hamas, Hizbullah, and Iran no longer see sufficient support internationally and within its own public opinion. It was expressed that to overcome this strategic deadlock and gather support from developed countries around the world, Netanyahu's team urgently needs a new polarization. At this point, it was emphasized that, with the effect of the election atmosphere, Turkey is being pushed forward as an enemy image. However, the Foreign Minister reminded that there are still politically sane, well-intentioned, and strategically thinking political figures in Israel, indicating that the entire country is not part of the same policy.

Stating that Turkey's reaction stems not only from issues in bilateral relations, Fidan argued that the foreign policies pursued by the Netanyahu government constitute a widespread crisis. He noted that Israel's current policies and mindset have become a serious burden and threat element not only for Turkey but for the entire region. Furthermore, he stated that Netanyahu's steps are also risky in terms of global security and economic stability, and that a large part of the international community, not just Turkey, agrees on this matter. It is also being discussed that this situation could be interpreted as an indication of Israel sliding toward broader diplomatic isolation.

During the interview, the US's approach to the issue was also brought up; Fidan gave a definite positive response to the journalist's question about whether the US, European, and NATO allies understand the importance of lowering tensions. In this context, it was underlined that the Israeli side is also aware of how critical it is to reduce tensions. On the other hand, answering the question of whether former US President Donald Trump understands these delicate balances and the risks created by Netanyahu in the region, Fidan expressed his belief that Trump grasps the situation. This assessment also reveals Turkey's effort to maintain dialogue with potential new American administrations or current political actors.

These latest statements are a continuation of the diplomatic verbal spats that took place between Turkey and Israel in July. Speaking to CNN Türk previously, Fidan described Israel's policies as 'a burden humanity can no longer bear,' and these words rapidly resonated internationally. While Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar harshly criticized this statement on social media as 'textbook genocide incitement,' Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also condemned the remarks, finding them 'unacceptable.' The developments once again laid bare how fragile the diplomatic landscape, which is taking shape under the shadow of war in the Middle East and becoming increasingly complex, truly is.