SAM Chairman Yilmaz: Every rising power in our geography has to confront Israel

Nuh Yılmaz, Chairman of the Centre for Strategic Research (SAM), stated that "every rising power in our geography has to confront Israel.” He made the comment during his presence as a guest at Istanbul University's 65th Sociology Days, which were hosted by the Sociology Department of the Faculty of Letters.

At the "The Palestine Issue in the 100th Year of the Republic" event, Yılmaz emphasised Türkiye's strategic interest in supporting peace, stability, and prosperity in the area, as well as their efforts to achieve this goal.

Yılmaz criticised the global system for undermining peace and stability in the region, citing Gaza as an example of its failure. He believed that the existing multilateral or liberal international system is ineffective and advocated for the development of alternatives that are inclusive, fair, and in accordance with international law.

Yılmaz emphasised the value of strategic patience and determination, citing the Organisation of Turkic States as an example of Türkiye's efforts to establish new alliances and cooperation models. He viewed the Palestinian issue as a post-colonial worry that arose with the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, implying that it could be regarded as a "problem of the absence of Turks.”

Yılmaz criticised Israel for colonial-settler policies aimed at changing the demographic composition of the region. He compared Israel's foundation to that of the United States, citing Israeli officials' approach to the US based on this parallel. He added that without changing the current international order, implementing fair governance in the region would be difficult for the reasons indicated above.

He stated that any country seeking to be a regional power would unavoidably face Israel, citing the unfairness that must be rectified once reached a certain stage. Yılmaz emphasised the impact of US policies on the Palestinian conflict, stating that understanding it without considering the international system is insufficient.

“Türkiye has moved the focus of the debate from ceasefire to statehood in order to address the issue fundamentally and permanently,” said Yılmaz, emphasising the importance of bringing together the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League for the first time to form a unified position on Palestine.

Yılmaz said, "A Contact Group of Foreign Ministers from seven countries was founded to function as an executive body, pushing for the Palestinian state problem in global institutions such as the UN Security Council, NATO, and the Union for the Mediterranean.” Diplomacy, according to Yılmaz, is a lengthy process with potential long-term outcomes.