Following President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement that Israel may target Turkey, the Turkish parliament is expected to hold a closed session on Tuesday to address regional security concerns. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yaşar Güler are expected to provide briefings on the situation in the Middle East, focusing on Israel, Iran and broader developments in the region.
Erdoğan’s comments came during his address to parliament on 1 October, where he condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, warning that Israel’s ambitions might extend to Turkey. “Israel’s genocide in Gaza has now reached Lebanon. They have entered Lebanese territory, and the next target could be Turkey,” he said, adding that Israel has expressed such intentions on multiple occasions.
In response, main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel criticised Erdoğan’s comments during a speech in İskenderun on Monday. Özel expressed scepticism over the threat posed by Israel and suggested that Erdoğan was using fear to gain political support. “No one, not even Netanyahu, would dare threaten Turkey. Yet, the president claims we are the next target,” Özel said. He added, “If tomorrow’s closed session does not provide concrete details on this supposed threat, I will reveal what is being hidden from the public… No one should expect us to be silenced by claims of an Israeli threat while avoiding discussions on poverty, pensions, wages, earthquake victims, farmers, and workers. We will hold them accountable.”
Erdoğan reiterated these concerns in another recent speech, stating, “The Israeli government, driven by its vision of the ‘promised land,’ may eventually set its sights on our homeland after Palestine and Lebanon. We will resist this state terrorism with every means at our disposal for the sake of our country, nation, and independence.”
In response to Erdoğan’s remarks, CHP Deputy Chair Murat Emir requested a parliamentary briefing on the matter. The meeting was confirmed by Parliamentary Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, who noted that the session could be held behind closed doors, depending on the request of political parties. If conducted in a closed session, no journalists or observers will be allowed, and the minutes of the meeting will remain classified for ten years.
The session comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, with Israel’s actions and ongoing conflicts drawing international scrutiny, and the Turkish government positioning itself as a vocal critic of Israeli policies in the region. Following the closed session, parliament is expected to continue with its regular agenda in an open session.
