Speaking at a press conference following the Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, the president said that Israel, through its actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, is reinforcing its role as a source of instability in the region, criticizing the Israeli government for deliberately obstructing initiatives aimed at ending the ongoing conflicts.
"By keeping the Al-Aqsa Mosque closed, imposing the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners, and carrying out attacks in Lebanon and Syria, Israel confirms and solidifies the fact that it is a country that fuels tension," said Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding that the Israeli government continues to undermine all efforts aimed at ending the war.
Erdogan stated that Turkey has acted responsibly since the beginning of the conflict affecting Iran and the Gulf, warning that the war threatens to spread across the region as it enters its 38th day.
"If there is even the slightest chance to silence the weapons and open space for negotiations, we sincerely strive to seize it," said Erdogan, describing the conflict as "illegal, senseless, and illegitimate" and calling for its urgent termination.
He warned that "as the war drags on, the fire could spread to other countries," adding that those who prolong the conflict for political survival should remember that "one day, the tide turns."
Drawing a sharp historical parallel between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, Erdogan said: "Those who follow Hitler's path today are acting not only against humanity but also against their own people," calling on the international community to "stop this course" and emphasizing that Turkey will "continue to raise its voice for peace."