Turkey advocates for Israel to refrain from aggressive actions in Syria, promoting regional stability instead
In a strong and impassioned address to the United Nations Security Council, Turkey's Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz criticised Israel's actions in both Syria and the Palestinian territories.
Regarding Syria, Yilmaz called on Israel to refrain from aggression and respect Syria's sovereignty. He condemned Israel's unprovoked attacks, including strikes on the Presidential complex and Ministry of Defense, and emphasised the importance of de-escalation and restraint for regional stability. Yilmaz warned against attempts to exploit divisions within Syria, particularly criticising groups like the SDF for pushing fragmentation.
On the Palestinian issue, Yilmaz is actively engaged in promoting a two-state solution. He attended a high-level international conference in New York co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, where Türkiye co-chairs a working group on preserving this solution. Yilmaz stated that Israel's continued occupation is the main obstacle to Palestinian statehood and praised recent moves toward recognising Palestine as a state. He also warned of looming Israeli annexation plans and advocated for strong and effective international tools to counter these actions.
In an effort to hold Israel accountable, Turkey has recently committed to endorsing six anti-Israel measures. These include halting military exports to Israel, refusing transit of Israeli weapons, and supporting international legal actions against Israeli war crimes. Yilmaz described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a “man-made disaster” and justified these measures as necessary to uphold international law and respond to Israel's policies.
The United States, however, rejected the U.N. conference, with State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce calling it "unproductive and untimely." Bruce stated that the U.S. focus remains on "serious diplomacy, not staged conferences that pretend to matter."
Yilmaz also spoke about recent tensions in Sweida province and other regions in Syria, while praising the Syrian administration's inclusive efforts during the transition period. He expressed support for Syria's peace and reconstruction efforts and co-chairs a working group titled "Preserving the Two-State Solution" at the U.N. alongside Ireland. France's announcement of recognition of Palestine was welcomed by Yilmaz.
In summary, Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz took a firm stance condemning Israeli military aggression in Syria and occupation policies affecting Palestinians, while actively supporting international efforts to promote peace and hold Israel accountable. He warned that Israel may face "coercive measures" as a state actor supporting illegal settlements, and emphasised the need for de-escalation and respect for international law in the Middle East.
- Turkey's Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz, during his address at the United Nations Security Council, criticized Israel's actions not only in Syria but also in the Palestinian territories.
- In his speech regarding Syria, Yilmaz called on Israel to respect Syria's sovereignty and refrain from aggression, condemning unprovoked attacks on Syrian Presidential complex and Ministry of Defense.
- On the Palestinian issue, Yilmaz is actively engaged in promoting a two-state solution and attended a high-level international conference, where Türkiye co-chairs a working group on preserving this solution.
- In an effort to hold Israel accountable, Turkey has recently committed to endorsing six anti-Israel measures, including halting military exports to Israel and supporting international legal actions against Israeli war crimes.
- Yilmaz's speech also included a focus on the Middle East, emphasizing the need for de-escalation and respect for international law in the region, and warning that Israel may face "coercive measures" as a state actor supporting illegal settlements.
- The ongoing policy-and-legislation discussions and general-news coverage regarding war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, such as those in the Sweida province of Syria, are closely monitored by Yilmaz, who expressed support for Syria's peace and reconstruction efforts.
