Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has strongly denied accusations that Turkey is causing instability in Syria. He clarified that Israel is implementing only the necessary security measures to protect its citizens. Saar stated, “Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan wants Israel not to take security measures, but that is impossible; Israel will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its citizens.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had accused Israel of spreading instability in the Syrian region. Saar responded by asserting that Turkish leaders have long violated Syria’s sovereignty while attempting to lecture others on international law. Saar also accused Turkey of occupying nearly 5 percent of Syrian territory and attempting to establish military posts to undermine Israel’s security.
According to Saar, Israel controls a buffer zone covering only 0.1 percent of Syrian land. He explained, “This measure is to ensure our security from active terrorist groups in southern Syria that are planning attacks against Israel.” In December 2024, Syrian fighters entered the buffer zone, violating the military disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria established in 1974.
It has been claimed that under the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a major military campaign has been launched against Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq. Turkey has repeatedly threatened neighboring countries and has occupied 36 percent of Cyprus’s territory for over 50 years, drawing international criticism for human rights violations. Saar reiterated, “Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan wants Israel not to take security measures, but that is impossible. Israel will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its citizens.”
