Erdoğan: Israel exploiting shifting global focus to destroy two-state solution

2026-03-09 - 20:32

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a sharp critique of Israeli policy Monday during an address to ambassadors in Ankara, charging that Tel Aviv is exploiting the global community's shifting focus away from Gaza to undermine prospects for a two-state solution. The president stated that Israel continues to "terrorize the people of Gaza with systematic attacks" even as humanitarian aid deliveries face mounting difficulties. Türkiye rejects renewed intervention in Middle East Addressing the ongoing US-Israeli attacks on Iran, Erdoğan stressed that Ankara does not accept the Middle East being subjected again to external intervention "just as it was a century ago, or being laid back on the operating table." The president's remarks invoke historical memory of colonial-era arrangements that reshaped the region, suggesting current military actions represent a similar disregard for regional sovereignty and self-determination. Ballistic threats neutralized, Iran warned Erdoğan confirmed that Türkiye had successfully neutralized ballistic projectiles heading toward its territory, stating "Last week and today, ballistic elements heading toward Türkiye were neutralized in time, and the necessary warning was conveyed very clearly to the Iranian side." The revelation underscores the direct security challenges Ankara faces as the US-Israeli-Iranian conflict expands, and demonstrates Türkiye's capacity to defend its airspace while maintaining diplomatic channels with Tehran. Call for urgent end to regional war The president reiterated that the war must end as quickly as possible to prevent further regional spillover, warning that "further adventurism will cost not just the warring parties, but the region and even the entire world, including Europe and Asia." Erdoğan expressed confidence that "an honorable solution can be found for every problem that threatens regional stability and the future," suggesting a new negotiation process remains possible despite escalating hostilities. His remarks position Türkiye as a voice for de-escalation and diplomacy amid a rapidly deteriorating security environment across the Middle East.