Israel fears Türkiye's regional peace role: Parliament speaker

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus said on Wednesday that Israel fears Türkiye's potential to foster a climate of peace and brotherhood across the region, asserting that Ankara remains committed to bridging divides between ethnic communities torn apart by years of terrorism and armed conflict.

Speaking at the Afyonkarahisar Civil Society Meeting, Kurtulmus framed Ankara's foreign policy as a unifying force capable of healing civilizational fractures. "Israel fears only Türkiye," he told attendees, adding that the Jewish state specifically dreads the atmosphere of reconciliation that Turkish diplomacy could cultivate throughout the Middle East. "It fears the climate of peace and brotherhood that Türkiye will create in its region, and we must make this happen," he said.

Civilizational unity

The speaker emphasized that diverse ethnic groups across the Middle East share a common heritage that transcends modern borders. "All the ethnic elements of this region are parts of the same civilization," Kurtulmus stated, noting that Ankara's "Terror-Free Türkiye" initiative aims to restore bonds fractured by years of violence. He added that the policy seeks to bring scattered communities together through sustained diplomatic engagement rather than military escalation.

Syrian militia dissolution

Kurtulmus also addressed recent developments in Syria, calling the announced dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces a watershed moment for regional security. "The statement that the SDF has dissolved itself as an organization is important, historic and valuable for us. God willing, the continuation of this process will follow this statement," he said. The militia's disbandment marks a significant shift in northern Syria's power dynamics following the collapse of the Assad regime earlier this year.

Kurtulmus delivered his remarks at the Afyonkarahisar Civil Society Meeting on Wednesday, outlining Ankara's diplomatic roadmap as Türkiye continues coordinating with regional partners to implement security arrangements along its southern frontier.