Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Israel's attacks on Syria and Lebanon had reached a point where they also threaten Türkiye, adding Israel's "aggression" posed a threat to the whole world and must be stopped.
Speaking to lawmakers in parliament, Erdogan accused Israel of taking initiatives that could further destabilise the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider region.
"Türkiye's security begins not in Hatay, but in Aleppo, Damascus and Beirut. Neither will we tolerate any faits accompli in our brothers' countries, nor will we turn a blind eye to aggression," he said, stressing that the country's security extends beyond its borders.
President Erdogan also referred to what he described as Israelis’ "delusion of the Promised Land," saying Türkiye was fully aware of its ultimate objective.
"By the will of God, we will never allow this," he said.
Warning countries against aligning themselves with Israel, Erdogan said, “no one should seek adventure. No one should follow in the wake of the Zionist massacre network.”
‘Israel must be stopped’
The Turkish leader cautioned that failure to curb Israel's actions could have serious consequences for both the region and the wider international community.
"If Israel's banditry is not stopped, the entire world, together with the region, will bear the consequences," he said.
"Israel must be stopped. This is the duty of humanity ... history must not be allowed to repeat itself."
Erdogan also warned that Türkiye would respond firmly to any move targeting the rights of Turkish citizens or Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean.
"If Türkiye's rights and the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean are targeted, I want it to be known that our response will be very clear and very harsh," Erdogan said.
