The Turkish Parliament convened in a closed session on Tuesday to address Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and its broader regional actions, with Turkish leadership framing Israel as a “national security threat.”
The closed-door meeting will reportedly include briefings from Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.
Opening the session, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş referred to Israel’s activities in the region as a direct threat to Turkey’s security.
“We must move forward in unity and take decisive steps against Israel’s expansionist policies in the region, which we see as a national security issue,” Kurtulmuş told lawmakers.
He said Turkey would do everything in its power to end the ongoing conflict in the region and that Israel’s actions in Gaza were destabilizing the Middle East and potentially threatening Turkey.
Foreign Minister Fidan and Defense Minister Güler are set to provide in-depth briefings on regional developments and Israel’s military activities. According to parliamentary procedure, each minister was allocated 30 minutes for their remarks, followed by responses from political party representatives.
Before the discussions, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) proposed a motion for the session to be held behind closed doors, which was approved. Speaker Kurtulmuş ordered all non-members and staff not designated for closed-door sessions to leave the chamber, along with observers and journalists in adjacent areas.
The session follows repeated statements from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and suggested that Israel’s ambitions could extend to Turkey.
In a speech to parliament in September 2024 Erdoğan claimed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government harbors expansionist ambitions that may target parts of Anatolia.
“Israel’s expansionist agenda, driven by religious fanaticism, does not stop at Gaza. Their next target may well be our homeland,” Erdoğan said.
The minutes and summaries of the closed session will remain classified for 10 years in accordance with parliamentary rules. The session is expected to conclude after ministers Fidan and Güler provide their briefings and party representatives respond.
Despite Turkey’s harsh rhetoric, which has included labeling Israel as a security threat, trade and diplomatic ties between the two countries have remained active, albeit indirectly. Critics have pointed out the discrepancy between the government’s public stance and its behind-the-scenes dealings.