Turkish Foreign Minister accuses Israel of territorial expansionism

On April 18, 2026, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Israel is using the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as a pretext to seize additional territories. Speaking at a diplomatic forum in Antalya, Turkey, Fidan argued that the Netanyahu administration is not prioritizing national security but is instead pursuing an expansionist agenda. According to the minister, Israel aims to exert control over lands belonging to Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. Fidan characterized the ongoing military actions as a continuous process of occupation. He further asserted that Israel has created an international illusion that its primary objective is the protection of its own security. The Turkish official concluded by stating that these expansionist activities must be halted.