Israel Rejects Turkey's Demand to Halt Operations in Syria, Citing Security Needs

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Israel of a "conquering mentality" and called on the international community to pressure Israel to cease its activities in Syria. Fidan claimed that Israeli attacks threaten Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging enforcement of the 1974 disengagement agreement and respect for Syrian sovereignty.

In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar sharply criticized Turkey, accusing it of hypocrisy and violating the sovereignty of regional states. Sa'ar highlighted Turkey's occupation of five percent of Syrian territory and plans to establish military bases there, which he said destabilize Israel's security. He contrasted this with Israel's presence in a buffer zone amounting to only a tenth of one percent of Syrian land, maintained solely for defense against terrorist groups operating from southern Syria.

Sa'ar also condemned Turkey's regional policies under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, including military campaigns against Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq, threats to neighboring countries, and its long-standing occupation of 36 percent of Cyprus. He emphasized that Turkey's accusations ignore its own violations and that Israel will continue taking all necessary measures to protect its citizens from threats.

The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between Israel and Turkey over military actions and sovereignty issues in Syria, with Israel firmly rejecting Turkey's demands to halt its operations. Sa'ar concluded unequivocally, "This will not happen. Israel will continue to defend its citizens against all threats."