Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has accused Israel of deliberately seeking to redefine Turkiye as its next regional adversary after Iran, warning that this reflects an emerging strategic approach in Israeli policy.

“After Iran, Israel cannot live without an enemy,” Fidan said in a televised interview with the state-run Anadolu news agency.

He further claimed that political discourse within Israel, including elements of the current government and some opposition figures, was increasingly framing Ankara as a potential target. “We see that not only Netanyahu’s administration but also some figures in the opposition — though not all — are seeking to declare Turkiye the new enemy,” he said. “This is a new development in Israel... turning into a state strategy,” he added.

Fidan’s remarks come amid rapidly worsening relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv, which have deteriorated sharply since the Gaza war erupted following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The diplomatic fallout has been compounded by wider regional tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and shifting ceasefire arrangements.

The Turkish foreign minister’s comments followed warnings from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to US President Donald Trump about possible “provocations and sabotage” that could undermine fragile ceasefire efforts connected to the US-Israel confrontation with Iran. Ankara has repeatedly accused Israel of pursuing expansionist policies and obstructing peace negotiations.

Israel, meanwhile, has vowed to continue its confrontational posture towards Iran and its regional allies, rejecting Turkish criticism. The exchange of accusations has further deepened the diplomatic rift between the two countries.

Beyond the Middle East, Fidan also addressed NATO dynamics, urging alliance members to use the upcoming July summit in Ankara as an opportunity to recalibrate relations with the United States amid uncertainty over Washington’s long-term role.

“Nato countries need to turn this Ankara Summit into an opportunity to put ties with the United States on a systematic basis,” he said. “If there will be a US withdrawal from some Nato mechanisms, there needs to be a plan and programme to phase this out so nobody is left in the open,” he added.

© Naya Daur