DaysofPal- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is working to portray Turkey as Israel’s new enemy.
Speaking to editors at Anadolu Agency headquarters in Ankara, Fidan said that “Israel cannot live without an enemy after Iran,” arguing that Netanyahu is now attempting to shift that role onto Turkey.
His remarks come amid continued Israeli political attacks on Turkey and its president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following Ankara’s announcement that it is preparing an indictment against 35 Israelis, including Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges that include genocide, suspected of involvement in the attack on the “Global Steadfastness” flotilla as it sailed to break the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
At the briefing, Fidan also addressed rising tensions in the Gulf, saying Turkey does not consider it appropriate for foreign states to intervene militarily to “open” the Strait of Hormuz.
He added that freedom of navigation through the strait must not be obstructed and that no country should be required to pay transit fees.
The foreign minister stressed the need to establish a regional security alliance aimed at building confidence among countries in the region.
His comments followed Iran’s announcement that it plans to levy fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration that Washington would impose a blockade on Iranian ports starting today.
On the broader regional escalation, Fidan said developments in Lebanon are part of Israel’s expansionist policies, warning that the crisis there could spiral into a wider regional conflict.
He noted that after the announcement of a two week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, it was understood that the agreement would also cover Lebanon.
“Netanyahu ruined it, as usual, and the United States remained silent,” Fidan said.
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