Bahçeli lays out 7-point plan for Israel, calls for "Jerusalem Pact" and "Islamic Peace Force"
RastinewsNationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli issued a sharp warning to Israel following its strike on the Abu Duhur Military Airbase in Idlib, Syria. Bahçeli called for Israel's UN membership to be suspended, saying "Israel must stop provoking Turkey and testing its patience." He laid out a seven-point regional plan that includes creating a "Jerusalem Pact" and an "Islamic Peace Force."
Bahçeli issued a written statement on Israel's August 18 strike on the Abu Duhur Military Airbase in Syria's rural Idlib.
Arguing that Israel's military activity in the region clashes with Turkey's security interests, Bahçeli addressed a direct appeal to the Israeli government.
"Stop testing Turkey's patience"
"Our message to an Israeli government that keeps escalating its hostility toward Turkey is clear," Bahçeli said, adding:
"Israel must stop provoking Turkey and testing its patience. Turkey is not a country that seeks conflict, but it is also not a country that will leave its national security to the mercy of others."
Bahçeli called Israel's view of Turkey's regional role as a threat "a grave strategic error," arguing that Israel's policy must be curbed within the framework of international law.
"Establish a Jerusalem Pact and an Islamic Peace Force"
Bahçeli put forward a seven-point proposal for building a new security mechanism in the Middle East.
He called for expanding cooperation among Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan into a "Jerusalem Pact," and proposed forming an "Islamic Peace Force" to respond jointly to attacks.
Bahçeli also called for a temporary stability council involving the United States, Russia, China and the European Union, and for a UN-backed "Middle East Security and Peace Conference."
Saying an international roadmap toward a two-state solution is needed, Bahçeli also proposed that Turkey issue an "Ankara Declaration" laying out its regional security principles.
The plan also called for setting up an international ceasefire observation mission under the UN, forming a multilateral mediation contact group, and stepping up political and economic pressure on Israel.
Calls for Israel's UN membership to be suspended
Bahçeli called for tougher international sanctions on Israel and for implementing what he termed a policy of "encircling Israel for peace."
Calling for Israel's UN membership to be suspended, Bahçeli argued that lasting peace and stability cannot be achieved in the Middle East without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Bahçeli said Israel faces two choices: comply with international law, or face isolation through political and economic costs.
He closed his statement with the words: "When the Turkish nation rises, no power can stand in its way."