Türkiye has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s military strikes in southern Lebanon, with Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus describing the overnight attacks as “absolutely unacceptable.” Speaking at Dicle University’s academic year opening ceremony on Friday, Kurtulmus reaffirmed Türkiye’s solidarity with the Lebanese people and delivered a sharp critique of Israeli policies in the region.
A Broader Critique of Regional Politics
Kurtulmus positioned the recent strikes within a wider pattern of regional aggression, noting they were not fundamentally different from previous attacks on Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Tunisia, and Qatar. He presented a stark contrast between what he described as divisive external agendas and Türkiye’s unifying vision: “Their goal is to divide more, fragment further, and shrink more. Our goal, however, is to integrate more, unite more, and grow further.”
Domestic Priorities and “Türkiye’s Century”
Turning to domestic affairs, the Parliament Speaker emphasized the need for national unity and focus on what the government terms “Türkiye’s Century.” He outlined two primary tasks: building a just, peaceful, and united domestic society where dialogue prevails over violence, and taking a leadership role in proposing a new, fair global order. He expressed strong confidence that ongoing peace efforts would succeed, stating “this time brotherhood will prevail.”
Challenging the International System
Kurtulmus also questioned the effectiveness of the current global system, citing ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine as evidence that “there is no global system capable of securing peace.” He argued that this reality necessitates stronger regional initiative and problem-solving capacity, with Türkiye positioned to play a leading role in challenging international power imbalances and offering its peace experience as a potential global model.