Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an international arms embargo and a halt to all trade with Israel on Thursday, aiming to isolate the Jewish state over its actions in the Middle East. Erdogan’s statements came during his address at the D-8 Summit held in Cairo, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency.
“We see Israel’s steps that disregard Syria’s territorial integrity, including the expansion of illegal settlements in the Golan Heights,” Erdogan said. He emphasized the need for the D-8 member countries to take a firm stand against what he described as lawlessness threatening Syria’s stability and the broader region. Israel took control of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War, a move not recognized by most international bodies.
The D-8, or Developing-8, is a coalition of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey. The group focuses on enhancing economic cooperation among member nations. At the summit, the nations collectively condemned “Israeli aggression” and discussed strategies for reconstructing war-ravaged countries like Lebanon and Syria.
Erdogan urged a unified response from Islamic countries, encouraging them to take a leadership role in addressing Israel’s policies. “As Islamic countries, we must lead steps that can be taken against Israel,” he declared. “We must work harder together, as D-8 countries, for a just and lasting peace in the region.”
The Turkish leader also called for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, expressing optimism for peace in Syria following the December 8 ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. “I hope that establishing a ceasefire in Lebanon and the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria will mark the beginning of a more positive era,” Erdogan said, as reported by the Middle East Monitor.
Erdogan further encouraged sustained pressure on Israel by supporting South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In January, South Africa accused Israel of violating the Genocide Convention over its military operations in Gaza. Erdogan stated, “We must encourage as many countries as possible, particularly D-8 members, to intervene in South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice.”
These remarks signal Turkey’s intent to rally support from the Muslim world to hold Israel accountable on international platforms. Erdogan’s push for economic and political sanctions reflects his long-standing criticism of Israel’s policies and his ambition to position Turkey as a leader among Islamic nations in advocating for Middle Eastern stability.