Erdogan Accuses Israel of Threatening Regional Stability, Reaffirms Commitment to Palestine at ECO Summit

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday delivered sharp criticism of Israel’s current policies, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of endangering peace and stability across the Middle East through aggressive actions. Speaking at the 17th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in the Azerbaijani city of Khankendi, Erdogan reaffirmed Ankara’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.

“We can neither abandon the Palestinian cause nor remain silent as the Netanyahu government turns our region into a bloodbath,” Erdogan declared, warning that Israel’s growing belligerence poses a severe threat to regional order.

Commitment to Afghanistan’s Future

In his wide-ranging address, Erdogan also emphasized the importance of supporting Afghanistan’s path to recovery. “We believe that we must support security, peace, and the development of people in Afghanistan,” he said, urging ECO members to cooperate more closely in stabilizing the country.

Strengthening Ties with Turkish Cypriots

Turning to domestic and regional engagement, Erdogan called on ECO members to deepen cooperation with Turkish Cypriots across sectors such as culture, sports, tourism, and the economy, positioning this as part of a broader effort to enhance regional unity and resilience.

ECO Summit Focuses on Sustainability and Regional Cooperation

This year’s ECO summit, held under the theme “New ECO Vision for a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Future,” gathered leaders from across the region to address pressing challenges including environmental degradation, geopolitical tensions, and economic cooperation.

Erdogan’s speech comes amid escalating regional anxieties surrounding Israel’s ongoing military operations in the Gaza Strip and broader regional fallout, as well as renewed global attention on the Middle East’s role in climate and security policy.