Turkey’s parliamentary speaker, Numan Kurtulmus, addressed a gathering of civil‑society representatives in the central city of Kirsehir, stating that Israel’s actions aim to deepen fractures among regional actors. He argued that Israel’s strategic objective is to provoke conflict between neighbouring peoples, thereby advancing what he described as a quest for a "promised land".
Kurtulmus asserted that Israel has conducted attacks in recent years targeting a range of states, including Palestine, Iran, Iraq and Syria. He suggested that these operations are part of a broader effort to destabilise the region and isolate Turkey’s diplomatic initiatives.
The speaker emphasized Turkey’s commitment to regional cohesion, indicating that Ankara will continue to pursue policies intended to unite Middle Eastern countries rather than allow external powers to drive them apart. He positioned Turkey as a counterweight to what he portrayed as Israel’s divisive agenda.
Al Jazeera reported the remarks, noting that Kurtulmus warned Israel against “chasing empty dreams” and urged the country to abandon strategies that foster hostility among its neighbours. The Turkish official’s comments come amid ongoing tensions over Israel’s security operations and broader geopolitical rivalries in the region.
No immediate response from Israeli officials was recorded at the time of reporting. The statements add to a series of diplomatic exchanges in which Turkey has repeatedly criticized Israeli policies toward the Palestinian territories and other regional actors.
Analysts view the remarks as part of Turkey’s broader foreign‑policy narrative, which seeks to position Ankara as a leading voice for regional solidarity and a challenger to Israeli influence in Middle Eastern affairs.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/turkish-foreign-minister-says-israel-should-not-chase-empty-dreams.