Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran answered Anadolu Agency's (AA) questions regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements targeting Türkiye.
"His words are a new reflection of his political fears and delusions"
Question: How do you evaluate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements targeting Türkiye?
Burhanettin Duran: The threats and lies expressed by Netanyahu against Türkiye and Syria in an interview are a new reflection of the Israeli Prime Minister's increasing international loneliness, political fears and delusions. However, Netanyahu's efforts to mislead the international public by creating imaginary threats and enemies no longer have any effect. Because the international community agrees on the badness of the policies it pursues. The reaction of the USA, the UK and the international community to Israel's aggressive policies is increasing. The Israeli Prime Minister adopted this irrational attitude due to the upcoming elections and his domestic political concerns and fears. He sees his hostility towards Türkiye as a political lifeline. Moreover, in extremist competition with other radical parties, it fuels hostility towards Türkiye and the countries in the region.
Of course, at this point, there is a point that Netanyahu wants to reach with this discourse in foreign policy as well as in domestic policy. The aggressive policies it implemented from Gaza to Syria and Lebanon, the settler terrorism it condoned, and the statements of extremist characters, especially its ministers in the cabinet, have reduced Israel's perception to one of the lowest points in history. Netanyahu and his accomplices are trying to spread this dirt on their surroundings by accusing the countries in the region, especially Türkiye, with various accusations. The effort to blame Türkiye after its attack in Syria is one of the clearest indicators of this situation. But there is something they forgot. The problem is not that people do not understand Israeli policies well enough, but that more and more people understand and reject these policies. This causes both such accusations and high-budget communication campaigns to yield limited results.
Question: Will Netanyahu's direct targeting of Türkiye result in Israel expanding its circle of attacks towards Türkiye?
Burhanettin Duran: The international community and regional countries take a strong stance against Netanyahu's occupying mentality and his project to start a regional war and support the establishment of peace and tranquility in the Middle East. The entire region is coming together against a strategic destabilizing actor. Likewise, especially in the last three years, the entire region has seen the destruction and war caused by an aggressive neighbor in the region. Moreover, in its current form, the Netanyahu administration has abandoned all diplomatic and dialogue efforts. The main problem of the current government is that it identifies security with constant aggression, not stability and diplomacy. Therefore, the main dynamic in its attitude towards Turkey is not that Türkiye poses a threat to Israel, but rather that Turkey, with its current power and influence, has accurate policies that oppose the damage Israel is causing to regional security and stability.
Question: There were also reactions from the Israeli public regarding Netanyahu's statements. What is your opinion on this matter?
Burhanettin Duran: Of course, as our President stated, we are a country that strives to bring peace and reconciliation to the region. Our main issue is to stop the blood and tears in the region, and the situation in Gaza and the Palestinian issue are vital elements for us.
We also need to state that; The big mistake made by Netanyahu is also on the agenda of the Israeli public. The Israeli opposition frequently states that they find Netanyahu's anti-Türkiye rhetoric "irresponsible, excessive and stupid" and that it causes concern in society. Even Israel's own politicians admit that it has lost many of its allies one by one and has become increasingly discredited. Moreover, the policy of tension attempted to be established with Türkiye has not yielded any results.
Türkiye is a NATO country that has repeatedly strengthened its power and influence in its region and on the global arena, strengthened its hard power and constantly developed its elite capabilities. At this point, the most rational attitude for the Israeli government to develop is to strive for a two-state solution that will completely eliminate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to stop further destabilizing steps in the region, instead of making threats to its surroundings, targeting the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and planning new pirate settlements in the West Bank.
Question: How will Türkiye respond to this aggressive mentality?
Burhanettin Duran: As Türkiye, we will continue to fight the destabilizing activities of the genocidal Netanyahu and stand by all states that pursue peaceful policies in our region, especially Syria. Türkiye is one of the most experienced and deep-rooted countries in the region. Our state tradition is deep. We are a cautious, cool-headed and powerful country.
“WE WILL TURN THE BLOODY GAME WITH PRECISE FOREIGN POLICY”
History clearly reveals that there is nothing we cannot do for our own security, the survival of our state and the well-being of our nation. This understanding of ours has not changed today. However, we have enough experience not to fall prey to the tricks of extras like Netanyahu to undermine peace and stability in our region. We are a country that is appreciated in the world with this approach that prioritizes peace in our region and in the world and strives for peace. Turkey's prudent and peaceful foreign policy will thwart the bloody games of disreputable people like Netanyahu, who will not hesitate to set the region on fire in order to guarantee their own political future. No one can disturb the peace of our nation and our friends. Türkiye will never allow this.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Warplanes belonging to the Israeli army carried out an attack on the abandoned Abu Zuhur Military Air Base located in the east of Idlib province in northern Syria. No information was shared regarding whether there was any loss of life or injury in the attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that they carried out the attack on the base to send a message to Türkiye. Netanyahu defended the attack with the following words in his post on his social media account:
"We told Türkiye clearly: Don't do it. Apparently they didn't hear the message, so we made them understand better."
Israel; They claim that Türkiye's military presence in Syria and its support to the Syrian administration pose a security threat to them.
