Fidan: Israel has become a rogue actor, arms transfers must be halted
Fidan: Israel has become a rogue actor, arms transfers must be halted
Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, speaking at the OIC meeting convened on the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, characterized Israel as a “rogue actor.” He underlined that Israel, driven by its aspirations for a “Greater Israel,” is destabilizing the region, and urged the international community to suspend all arms transfers.
Chairing the Annual Coordination Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers during the High-Level Week of the 80th UN General Assembly, Minister Fidan issued strong criticism of Israel. Referring to Israel as a “rogue actor,” he stated: “An Israel blinded under the Netanyahu government has become a source of threat to the entire region. We must adopt a unified stance. All arms and ammunition transfers to Israel must be halted without delay.”
“We are confronted with two urgent risks”
According to diplomatic sources, Minister Fidan’s address highlighted two principal risks undermining regional security. First, he noted that the ongoing genocide in Gaza, attempts to annex the West Bank, and the forced displacement of Palestinians are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Second, he emphasized Israel’s destabilizing and expansionist policies, which extend across the broader region.
“Israel poses a security threat not only to Palestine but to the region as a whole. Its deliberate expansionist strategy directly targets the stability of neighboring states,” he stressed
“We must strengthen the legal struggle”
Fidan emphasized the importance of making more effective use of international legal mechanisms to ensure that Israel’s crimes do not go unpunished:
“The International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court must be transformed into instruments that bring an end to impunity. We must pursue these cases with determination in order to expose Israel’s crimes to the world.”
Call for Palestine’s UN membership
Reiterating Türkiye’s support for Palestine, Fidan highlighted the issue of Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations, which was also raised in the General Assembly. He stated: “We must capitalize on the momentum gained regarding the recognition of Palestine and secure the State of Palestine’s full membership in the UN.”
Emphasis on Syria and reconstruction
Touching upon developments in Syria, Minister Fidan said: “The stability of Syria is directly linked to the stability of our entire region. Halting Israel’s crimes in Syria is equally of vital importance. In the reconstruction process, our Syrian brothers and sisters are in need of support.”
Islamophobia and minority rights
Drawing attention to the rising tide of Islamophobia worldwide, Fidan underlined the need to protect Muslim communities from targeted racist attacks. He stated: “Hostility towards Islam is on the rise. We must demonstrate a common stance against hate crimes targeting Muslims.”
Message on Cyprus and Western Thrace
Recalling that one of the most significant issues in Türkiye’s foreign policy is the Cyprus question, Fidan called on OIC members: “It is the responsibility of all OIC members to defend the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriots and to establish direct contact with them.”
Fidan also highlighted the challenges faced by the Muslim Turkish minority in Western Thrace and the Turkish population in the Dodecanese Islands, noting: “Muslim Turkish communities in Greece continue to be deprived of their most fundamental rights and freedoms.”