Turkiye's top diplomat on Saturday (April 18, 2026) accused Israel of creating an international "illusion" and using security concerns as a pretext to seize "more land," in the latest flare-up in escalating tensions between the two regional powers.
Israel and Turkiye have been trading nearly daily diplomatic barbs over a range of regional conflicts, from Israel's war in Gaza to rising tensions linked to Iran.
"Israel is not after its own security. Israel is after more land," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in the Mediterranean resort city.
"Security is being used by the Netanyahu government as an excuse to occupy more land," he added, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking in English at a panel discussion, Mr. Fidan said Israel had created an "illusion" internationally by portraying itself as acting purely in its own defence.
