Turkey Says Israel Could Join Regional Bloc if It Recognizes Palestinian State

ANKARA – Turkey's foreign minister said Israel could become part of a broader Middle East cooperation and security framework if it recognizes an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, according to remarks published on Saturday.

Speaking to Nikkei Asia, Hakan Fidan said a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would create opportunities for a new regional order built on security, economic cooperation, and mutual respect among neighboring states.

Fidan said countries across the region could help guarantee Israel's security as part of such an arrangement, provided that a two-state solution is achieved and longstanding disputes are resolved.

The Turkish minister suggested that the proposed framework could include Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Gulf nations. He added that Iran could also participate if regional tensions ease and relations normalize.

"We must build a system where all countries respect each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity and security," Fidan said, outlining Ankara's vision for greater regional cooperation.

His comments come as Turkey prepares to host an important meeting of NATO member states in Ankara in July, amid growing diplomatic efforts to address conflicts and security challenges across the Middle East.

The remarks also follow renewed calls by U.S. President Donald Trump for additional countries to join the Abraham Accords, which seek to expand diplomatic normalization between Israel and Arab nations.

Despite sharply criticizing Israeli actions in the Palestinian territories and maintaining strained relations with Israeli leaders in recent years, Turkey has long-standing diplomatic ties with Israel. It became the first Muslim-majority nation to recognize Israel in 1949 and was among the earliest countries to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Jewish state.

Relations between the two countries have fluctuated over the decades, alternating between periods of strategic cooperation and political disputes.

GAROWE ONLINE