Kılıçdaroğlu's message to Netanyahu: 'No one can lecture Turkey'

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was brought to the CHP Chairmanship by a decision of absolute nullity, reacted to Israel's attack on the Abu al-Duhur Military Airport in Syria and the statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Turkey.

In a statement on his social media account, Kılıçdaroğlu described Netanyahu's words, "We sent a message to Turkey, we ensured they understood better," as an "open provocation and disrespect" toward the sovereignty of the Republic of Turkey.

Criticizing the language used by Israel, Kılıçdaroğlu stated, "No state, especially Israel, can use language such as 'bringing into line' or 'lecturing' the Republic of Turkey. This tone is an unacceptable arrogance and insolence toward a sovereign state."

Emphasizing that Turkey has protected its independence and honor throughout history, Kılıçdaroğlu said, "No one can attempt to send a 'message' to these lands."

Kılıçdaroğlu noted that Israel's attack in Syria aims to deliberately disrupt the delicate balances in the region. Stating that this attitude carries tension to a dangerous point, Kılıçdaroğlu expressed that it threatens regional stability.

Stating that Turkey must display a "determined, cool-headed, and clear" stance for its national interests and regional stability, Kılıçdaroğlu noted that the Republic of Turkey will not compromise on its stance based on sovereignty and international law.

Stating that Israel's attitude is a threat not only to Turkey but to the entire region, Kılıçdaroğlu assessed, "This is not a simple act that will go down in history as a black mark; it is an active attack by a country that has declared its intent to turn the entire geography into hell if not stopped."

Israel's attack on the Abu al-Duhur Military Airport and Prime Minister Netanyahu's words, "We sent a message to Turkey, we ensured they understood better," are an open provocation, a crude disrespect toward the sovereignty of the Republic of Turkey, and a direct threat to regional peace...

— Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu (@kilicdarogluk) August 21, 2026

The full text of Kılıçdaroğlu's statement is as follows:

"Israel's attack on the Abu al-Duhur Military Airport and Prime Minister Netanyahu's words, 'We sent a message to Turkey, we ensured they understood better,' are an open provocation, a crude disrespect toward the sovereignty of the Republic of Turkey, and a direct threat to regional peace.

No state, especially Israel, can use language such as 'bringing into line' or 'lecturing' the Republic of Turkey. This tone is an unacceptable arrogance and insolence toward a sovereign state. Turkey is a nation that has protected its independence and honor throughout history; no one can attempt to send a 'message' to these lands.

This provocative language and physical attack clearly reveal the intention to deliberately disrupt the delicate balance in Syria, carry tension to dangerous points, and destabilize the region.

Our national interests and regional stability require a determined, cool-headed, and clear stance against such insolence. The Republic of Turkey will continue its stance based on its sovereignty and international law without ever compromising.

This reckless attitude of Israel is a threat not only to Turkey but to the entire region.

This is not a simple act that will go down in history as a black mark; it is an active attack by a country that has declared its intent to turn the entire geography into hell if not stopped."