Politics
Israel biggest obstacle to peace, FM Fidan says
Israel poses the biggest obstacle to peace in the region, as it continues to leverage its structural influence over U.S. politics while pursuing a broader strategic agenda for the region, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, warning that continued war risks deepening regional instability and creating long-term divisions between societies.
Speaking on a live broadcast on a Haber, Fidan said the war, unfolding “before the eyes of the entire world,” is having severe consequences for both the region and global politics, adding that Türkiye’s priority from the outset has been to prevent the conflict, contain its spread and keep the country out of the war.
He reiterated that Israel’s position remains the primary barrier to achieving peace, as Türkiye continues to push for an immediate cease-fire and a diplomatic resolution.
Fidan said Israel continues to leverage its structural influence over U.S. politics while pursuing a broader strategic agenda for the region, warning that this dynamic remains the biggest obstacle to peace.
“If Israel believes there are further opportunities to exploit or deepen the conflict based on its analysis of the current war, it will continue on this path,” he said. “At this point, the biggest obstacle to peace is Israel’s position.”
Fidan noted that the United States is facing growing domestic pressure ahead of upcoming elections, with public scrutiny mounting over the continuation of the war.
He said Washington’s initial military objectives – first targeting Iran’s nuclear capabilities and later its missile and defense industry infrastructure – have largely been declared achieved, raising questions about the rationale for prolonging the conflict.
“Both the American public and the international community are asking: if these objectives have been met, why continue a war that carries serious global economic consequences?” Fidan said.
He pointed to increasing pressure on the U.S. administration to justify the continuation of the conflict, adding that this has also fueled ongoing, albeit cautious, efforts toward a diplomatic resolution.
Fidan stressed, however, that a key challenge remains the international community’s inability to exert effective pressure on Israel, similar to the situation seen in Gaza.
“The problem, as in Gaza and other cases, is that the world cannot apply meaningful pressure on Israel,” he said.
He added that if the U.S. seeks to reach a negotiated settlement with Iran, it will need to be prepared to use its influence over Israel more decisively.
“If Washington is to reach an agreement with Iran, it must be willing to exercise serious leverage over Israel. We will see who can exert influence over whom,” Fidan said, describing the situation as a structural issue at the heart of the conflict.
He warned that beyond immediate destruction, the conflict risks leaving behind long-term instability, comparing its impact to lasting damage that can prevent recovery for decades.
“Even if this war ends at some point, the instability it leaves behind could last for years. Conflicts between societies and countries can create deep-rooted hostility, making cooperation, development and prosperity nearly impossible,” Fidan said.
Fidan noted that Türkiye has been working intensively through diplomatic channels since the outbreak of the conflict, as it did during last year’s “12-day war,” to push for a cease-fire and de-escalation.
He said negotiations appear to have reached an initial stage, with indirect contacts underway through Pakistan and coordination continuing with both the U.S and Iran.
“Today, we held extensive talks with both sides to better understand their positions and expectations,” he said, adding that Türkiye is actively conveying messages between the parties.
Fidan underlined that current negotiating positions have shifted significantly compared to those before the war, particularly for Iran, which had entered talks to avoid such a conflict.
“Now that the war has caused a certain level of destruction, Iran’s expectations in negotiations will naturally be different,” he said, noting that this complicates mediation efforts.
He emphasized that initial positions in negotiations are often deliberately set high and should not be taken at face value.
“If there is genuine intent on both sides, a point of convergence can always be found,” Fidan said.
The top Turkish diplomat stressed that the key to progress lies in sustaining negotiations, ensuring sincerity and rebuilding trust between the parties.
He pointed to Iran’s deep loss of confidence in the United States following previous negotiation rounds that collapsed into conflict, while noting that Washington is currently showing willingness to engage diplomatically.
Israel’s strategy risks deepening divisions among Muslim countries
Fidan said Israel’s actions during the war risk planting long-term divisions across the region, warning that the conflict could make unity among Muslim countries increasingly difficult.
“At this stage, we see that as war was launched against Iran, a dangerous seed of discord has also been sown in the region through Israeli expansionism — one that could make it nearly impossible for Muslims in the region to come together again,” he said.
He stressed that Türkiye’s top priority is to prevent such divisions from taking root, adding that Ankara had advised Iran from the outset to avoid actions that could escalate tensions with neighboring countries.
Fidan recalled that during the previous “12-day war,” Iran refrained from targeting Gulf countries despite being attacked, and said Türkiye encouraged a similar approach in the current situation.
He warned that retaliatory actions could create long-term consequences that would ultimately serve Israel’s strategic interests.
“We advised all parties: remain patient and avoid reactions that could leave lasting damage. This would play directly into Israel’s desired scenario – prolonged conflict among Islamic countries in the region,” he said.
Fidan said Türkiye has consistently urged both Iran and other regional actors not to fall into what he described as a trap, emphasizing that Ankara’s diplomatic efforts are built around preventing such escalation.
“This is why we are often targeted by Israel, because we recognize this strategy and are trying to counter it,” he added.
He acknowledged that the prevailing mood in the region is far from calm, with countries increasingly adopting more hardline positions due to ongoing attacks.
“The dominant psychology is: ‘We are under attack and must respond,” Fidan said, noting that even countries that have supported Iran are now leaning toward stronger reactions.
He said Türkiye, along with Pakistan, has been among the few actors reminding regional countries to focus on the broader picture and underlying causes of the conflict.
“Many countries are acting under pressure, as they are facing missile strikes and attacks, and are struggling to respond to their own public, which is living under constant alarm and in shelters,” he said.
Fidan added that Türkiye has sought to calm tensions, including during a high-level meeting in Riyadh convened to address the attacks.
He said Türkiye emphasized that the strikes were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of U.S. and Israeli actions in the region.
“While we consider these attacks unjustified, our position is clear: countries that have not provoked conflict should not be targeted. Such actions neither serve Iran’s strategy nor regional stability, and instead create conditions that benefit Israel in the long term,” he said.
Fidan noted that tensions escalated further even during the Riyadh meeting, with missiles launched toward the Saudi capital.
Fidan also warned that unforeseen developments could still arise, regardless of the parties’ intentions, but said Türkiye is maintaining intensive contacts at the highest level to prevent escalation.
He highlighted the role of regional mediators, saying Pakistan is playing a central role, while Türkiye is in constant coordination with Egypt and other countries in the region. European partners are also closely engaged in diplomatic efforts.
Fidan said there is a broad global consensus, similar to the Gaza war, that the conflict must end as soon as possible, stressing that this expectation now needs to be translated into concrete action by key countries.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday, hours after he arrived for talks on the U.S.-Israel-Iran war.
Fidan and Dar are expected to be joined by their Egyptian and Saudi counterparts in Islamabad for two days of talks to end the raging conflict.
Türkiye and Pakistan have been active in working to end the conflict, with both also mentioned as possible venues for direct talks between Iran and the U.S. toward a peaceful settlement.
Top diplomats from Riyadh, Cairo and Ankara are due in the Pakistani capital Sunday and Monday for “in-depth discussions on a range of issues, including efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region,” the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
As part of preparations, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said he had a “detailed telephone conversation with my brother President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran earlier today (Saturday), lasting over one hour.”
“I reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks on Iran, including recent strikes on civilian infrastructure, and conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with the brave people of Iran,” he wrote on X.
Sharif said he also expressed his condolences “on the tragic loss of precious lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and displaced.”
“I apprised him of Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic outreach, engaging the United States and brotherly Gulf and Islamic countries, to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation.”
Sharif’s office said separately that Pezeshkian “stressed upon the need to build trust in order to facilitate talks and mediation.”
The pair have spoken previously in recent weeks about the conflict and Pakistan’s commitment to bringing it to an end.
Islamabad has longstanding links with Tehran and close contacts in the Gulf, while Sharif and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir have struck up a personal rapport with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Late on Friday, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told the private A Haber broadcaster that the meeting was initially planned to be held in Türkiye.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said earlier on Friday he expected a direct U.S.-Iran meeting in Pakistan “very soon,” without revealing his source.
While Tehran has refused to admit to holding official talks with Washington, Iran has passed a response to Trump’s 15-point plan to end the war via Islamabad, according to an anonymous source cited by the Iranian Tasnim news agency.
Fidan said on Saturday that the “unlawful strikes” against Iran are pushing the region toward the brink of a wider war, fueled by “relentless Israeli escalation.”
Speaking at the opening of the second day of the International Strategic Communication Summit (STRATCOM) 2026 in Istanbul, Fidan said: “We reject any scenario that drags regional states into a devastating conflict,” adding: “Iranian actions affecting Gulf nations carry precisely this risk. Let us be clear. This may be Israel’s war of choice, but the entire world is paying the price.”
Fidan stated that as the conflict prolongs, the geopolitical and economic complications multiply at an alarming rate. “From day one, Türkiye has grown against this dangerous trajectory.”
“This is a war engineered for Netanyahu’s political survival, yet its burden unfortunately falls upon the rest of the world,” the foreign minister said, warning that the crisis could leave enduring scars not only in cities but also in the hearts and minds of the peoples of the region.
“There is only one viable way out for us. That is the escalation and diplomacy,” Fidan emphasized.
Regarding Israel’s latest aggression in Lebanon, he said: “We (Türkiye) declared our strong opposition to Israel’s expansionist policies, particularly its latest aggression against Lebanon. To operationalize these efforts, we continue our constant high-level dialogue. Our objective is to chart out actionable steps to end this conflict as soon as possible.”
“This senseless war must end. Before further destruction unfolds, before deeper enmities take root, before the global economy suffers irreversible damage. The channels of dialogue must be open, and a result-oriented negotiation process must commence swiftly,” Fidan further added.
Fidan warned that while pursuing peace, Türkiye’s leadership must not let Netanyahu’s extreme stance derail diplomacy, highlighting that “this engineered chaos” aims to keep the regional nations “weak, divided, and vulnerable.”
Legal troubles are mounting for Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) as a fresh wave of bribery and corruption investigations has led to the detention of another mayor and dozens of municipal officials, prosecutors said Friday.
Operations targeting CHP-run municipalities in Uşak and Marmaris resulted in the detention of 24 people, including Özkan Yalım and a deputy mayor in Marmaris, according to authorities. The detentions mark the latest development in a series of probes focusing on opposition-led local governments.
At least a dozen CHP mayors have been detained or arrested since last year, with several more facing ongoing corruption and bribery investigations or trials. High-profile cases include Istanbul’s suspended mayor, Ekrem Imamoğlu, and Antalya’s ousted mayor, Muhittin Böcek, whose cases have drawn national attention following their arrests late last year and trials that began earlier this month.
Friday’s operation was coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, with raids carried out in Uşak, Ankara and Kocaeli. Prosecutors allege that Yalım and 12 others received bribes from individuals and companies in connection with municipal tenders.
According to the investigation, Uşak Municipality is accused of using duplicate invoicing in public tenders, with the difference allegedly collected as illicit payments. Authorities also claim that companies were pressured to provide business partnerships to individuals linked to the mayor’s family in exchange for securing contracts.
Prosecutors further allege that deputy mayors collected large sums of money under the guise of donations to Uşakspor, a local football club, but transferred the funds into personal accounts. Some payments were allegedly delivered in cash to the mayor’s office and handled without receipts.
The investigation also points to alleged misuse of municipal funds, including expenses at entertainment venues that were reportedly billed to the municipality as “representation and hospitality” costs.
Authorities claim that Yalım transferred all his registered assets to his driver, Cihan Aras, in 2025 to avoid possible seizure. Prosecutors also allege that a municipal position was given to an individual with personal ties to the mayor despite no evidence of actual employment.
Financial findings by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) revealed high-value money movements, including large cash deposits, asset purchases and international transfers with unidentified sources. Investigators said these transactions were inconsistent with the suspects’ financial profiles and supported by communication records and witness statements.
Authorities also allege that personnel working at a facility linked to Yalım were registered as municipal employees, with their insurance premiums paid by the municipality. In another claim, prosecutors said a businessman who refused to meet a vehicle request from the mayor later faced administrative penalties against his business.
Marmaris probe
Separately, prosecutors in Muğla launched an investigation into the CHP-run Marmaris Municipality over alleged bribery and irregularities in zoning and permit processes.
The probe alleges that certain municipal officials coordinated irregular transactions through selected personnel for financial gain, particularly in construction, tourism and business licensing.
Arrest warrants were issued for multiple suspects, including the deputy mayor, urban planning officials and municipal police personnel. Police conducted searches at residences, workplaces and municipal offices.
Thirteen people, including eight municipal employees, were detained as part of the operation.
CHP Muğla lawmaker Cumhur Uzun described the investigation as an isolated case in remarks to reporters outside the municipality building.
The latest developments add to growing scrutiny surrounding CHP-run municipalities, as investigations into alleged bribery, corruption and financial misconduct continue across multiple regions.
Türkiye’s defense minister on Friday dismissed allegations that the private jet of U.S. financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein used Incirlik Air Base, saying there is no evidence the aircraft landed, took off or transited through the strategic military facility.
Defense Minister Yaşar Güler made the statement in response to a written parliamentary question from opposition Good Party (IP) lawmaker Selcan Taşcı, who asked whether Incirlik, a Turkish Air Forces Command base that hosts NATO operations, had been used in connection with Epstein’s jet and whether any safeguards were in place to prevent human trafficking and the illegal transport of children at military bases.
In his reply, Güler stressed that all Turkish military air bases are classified as first-degree restricted zones under national law, accessible only to authorized personnel and vehicles with special permits subject to biometric checks and identity verification.
“The facility is a Turkish Air Force installation owned by the Republic of Türkiye,” Güler said in a written response. “All materials entering or leaving Incirlik Air Base from abroad are handled by the Incirlik Customs Directorate under the Trade Ministry, and individuals entering or exiting from abroad are processed by the Passport Police under the Interior Ministry in accordance with relevant legislation. There is no report, complaint or official notification regarding the allegations.”
Epstein, an American financier who was jailed and died in U.S. custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors, owned and operated a fleet of private jets during his lifetime. Some of those aircraft were reportedly used to fly associates, clients and young women between his properties in the U.S. and the Caribbean, including his private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands and his Zorro Ranch in New Mexico.
Taşcı’s question also asked whether the Defense Ministry had put in place special monitoring or risk-prevention mechanisms to guard against exploitation related to human trafficking at military facilities. Güler’s statement reiterated that strict access controls and security procedures govern all Turkish military air bases but did not provide additional details on any dedicated anti-trafficking measures.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, values or position of Daily Sabah. The newspaper provides space for diverse perspectives as part of its commitment to open and informed public discussion.
Hostilities in the Middle East have intensified following joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, which have killed thousands since Feb. 28. As Tehran retaliates with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq and the Gulf countries, states in the region reconsider their security strategies with Türkiye emerging as a potential key partner in defense and military cooperation.
While noting that the Middle East, which has become the scene of comprehensive attacks jointly waged by the United States and Israel against Iran, is experiencing one of the most critical periods in its history, “The conflict presents opportunities to redefine relations between Türkiye and the Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Kuwait, particularly along the axis of defense and security architecture,” Hüseyin Fazla, a retired air force brigadier general and founder and director of STRASAM told to Daily Sabah.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi from March 18-20 as part of a three-day Gulf tour following the outbreak of war, in what marked his first high-level diplomatic outreach after the conflict.
Beginning in Riyadh, Fidan attended a Saudi-led meeting bringing together foreign ministers from Türkiye, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syria and the UAE.
During the tour, he underscored Türkiye’s support for Gulf countries in the face of Iran’s attacks, warning that continued escalation could prompt countermeasures from the region and urging Tehran to abandon its retaliation policy to prevent a wider war.
According to Fazla, the ongoing conflict between the U.S.-Israel and Iran is reshaping the Middle East’s strategic landscape, creating an opportunity for Türkiye to help fill emerging security gaps in the Gulf with domestically produced, high-tech defense systems that are not tied to political conditions. Turkish defense products, proven in combat, could appeal to Gulf states seeking greater strategic autonomy and reduced reliance on external powers.
“Gulf capitals are likely to seek a balancing role for Türkiye as a regional power and a strategic partner that provides depth in safeguarding their interests,” he stated, warning that although drone and ballistic missile threats may diminish after the clash, new geopolitical dynamics will emerge.
“In this context, future relations between Türkiye and these countries could be assessed under a new framework that goes beyond a commercial partnership to include active defense cooperation.”
Fazla also underlined that Türkiye’s “Steel Dome” architecture, developed in line with its layered and integrated air defense vision, could offer Gulf countries, particularly the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, a more comprehensive and cost-effective alternative to Western systems such as Patriot and THAAD against ballistic missiles, aircraft and kamikaze drones.
He described the Steel Dome as a turnkey national air defense model with strong appeal for Gulf states seeking integrated and sovereign defense solutions, as the system brings together capabilities including the HISAR and SIPER air defense systems, KORKUT and other point-defense platforms, as well as laser-based weapons such as ALKA and short-range systems like SUNGUR, under a network-centric command and control structure.
Minister Fidan previously signaled that rising tensions are likely to fundamentally shape the future policies and strategies of Gulf countries, suggesting they may explore new options, particularly in security and defense industries.
On the other hand, Ayhan Sarı, an associate professor at the Turkish-German University and security and foreign policy expert at the Turkish Research Foundation, said the U.S., despite drawing trillions of dollars in Gulf capital and selling hundreds of billions of dollars in arms to the region, has failed to provide adequate security for its partners.
Sarı noted that reports of damage to U.S. bases, downed aircraft and American casualties highlight Washington’s own vulnerabilities.
“What is striking is that the United States has not been able to fully protect even itself in this environment,” he said, arguing that this has exposed limits to U.S. security guarantees for Gulf states.
The expert also added that, despite vast financial resources, advanced weaponry and technology, the U.S. has struggled to ensure uninterrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a clear indication of military shortcomings in the region.
Türkiye, which has gained prominence in recent years for advances in its defense sector, is already engaged in substantial cooperation with Gulf states. Following Iran’s recent attacks, multiple countries have reportedly offered partnerships to Gulf nations in areas such as air defense and counter-drone technologies.
Sarı added that Washington’s stance during the Russia-Ukraine war, which many in Europe viewed as leaving the continent to shoulder the burden alone, has further deepened these concerns.
“In this context, relying on the West to build a national security architecture would be a serious miscalculation,” the expert said.
“What was once seen as a strong warning has now, with the latest war, become a tangible reality.”
Türkiye, which maintains high-level military cooperation with Qatar, has also indicated the possibility of a partnership with Saudi Arabia in the development of its domestically produced Kaan fighter jet.
Kaan is a fifth-generation stealth jet that Türkiye has worked on for almost a decade. The jet was first publicly unveiled in 2023 before it performed its maiden test flight in early 2024. Its serial production is expected to begin in 2028.
The aircraft is designed to perform air-to-air combat with next-generation weapons and conduct precision strikes from internal weapon bays at supersonic speeds, supported by artificial intelligence and neural-network systems.
Moreover, Fazla also offered that Türkiye’s 2026 vision in the defense industry, particularly its “local production” model that enables technology transfer to partner countries, could offer Gulf states an opportunity to reduce external dependency.
Within this framework, he pointed to armed unmanned surface vessel platforms such as ULAQ and MARLIN, which could contribute to maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
“In addition, the uninterrupted munitions supply chain provided by Türkiye through MKE and ROKETSAN, including systems such as SOM, TAYFUN and ATMACA will ensure logistical continuity for Gulf militaries.”
Last month, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding covering a joint production of the Turkish indigenous Gökbey multirole helicopter, marking the platform’s first overseas manufacturing agreement.
This agreement on Gökbey comes just days after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Ankara and Riyadh could opt for joint investment in Türkiye’s homegrown fifth-generation stealth fighter jet program at “any time.”
Path to regional defense pact
Minister Fidan’s meeting in Riyadh with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt also added momentum to ongoing discussions in recent months about a possible “alliance” among these countries.
The instability triggered by the war with Iran and the growing demand for security could push Gulf countries to seek a regional security pact with a strong partner beyond the United States.
According to Hüseyin Fazla, the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement signed on Sept. 17, 2025, could be expanded into a broader regional defense framework including powers such as Türkiye and Egypt, and potentially even Iran in the future, depending on postwar developments.
“Such a structure, combining Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence with Türkiye’s defense industry capabilities, could reduce Gulf dependence on the United States while forming a regional bloc capable of countering emerging threats and strengthening collective deterrence.”
Additionally, reiterating that historical precedents such as the Sadabad Pact and the Balkan Pacts exist, Ayhan Sarı offered that updated versions adapted to current conditions, with real operational relevance on the ground and the capacity to effectively deter Israeli aggression, are possible.
“The core of such an alliance could perhaps be formed by Türkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” he emphasized.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Friday that the international system established after World War II is facing a deep legitimacy crisis, as conflicts, power struggles and humanitarian crises spread across the globe.
“The post-World War II order built by its victors faces a deep legitimacy crisis across nearly all domains,” Erdoğan said in a video message sent to the International Strategic Communication Summit 2026 (Stratcom Summit ’26) held in Istanbul by Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications.
“The institutions, rules and set of values underpinning the system are gradually losing their function,” he added.
“The world is going through a challenging period marked by escalating genocides, wars and crises, where power competition is spreading across areas such as energy, technology and trade, and disputes are increasingly attempted to be resolved through force rather than dialogue.”
“Ending tragedies, as in Gaza, and restoring peace, stability and prosperity worldwide, especially in the region, is more important than ever,” said Erdoğan.
He stressed the need to strengthen communication and cooperation mechanisms to counter disinformation and distorted narratives, calling on governments, academics, civil society and think tanks to take more active roles.
“Türkiye will resolutely maintain its principled, determined, peace-centric stance focused on humanitarian values and justice, mobilizing all its means to help rebuild peace and security not only in our region but across the world,” Erdoğan added.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, values or position of Daily Sabah. The newspaper provides space for diverse perspectives as part of its commitment to open and informed public discussion.
Türkiye’s Parliament is set to review starting next week a sweeping proposal that would expand maternity and paternity leave and impose new regulations on social media use for minors, lawmakers said Friday.
The 29-article package, including amendments to the Social Services Law, will be discussed in the Family, Labor and Social Affairs Committee on April 2.
The proposal, put forward by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), aims to strengthen family policies while enhancing protections for children both online and offline. If approved, maternity leave for working mothers would increase from 18 weeks to 24 weeks, with mothers currently on leave benefiting from the extension.
The plan also allows mothers to transfer six weeks of their eight-week prenatal leave to the postnatal period upon request. Paternity leave for fathers would rise from five days to 10, aligning it with civil servants’ entitlements.
The legislation also targets children’s online safety. It would prohibit social media use for those under 15, requiring social network providers to implement algorithm-based age verification and parental control systems. Accounts found to belong to users under 15 would be closed, and companies distributing online games in Türkiye would be required to maintain local representatives.
Experts stress the importance of monitoring children’s social media use alongside these regulations. Kerime Begüm Özkaya, a specialist psychologist at Sivas Medicana Hospital, said that such oversight should focus on guidance rather than coercion. “Knowing their circle of friends is extremely important. Families need to know very well who their children spend time with, where they spend their time, who their friend groups are. Social media use, in particular, should be monitored,” Özkaya said.
Other measures in the package aim to support family structures more broadly. Foster families would receive a 10-day leave to spend with children in their care, while the state could cover social security premiums for spouses without insurance.
The proposal further seeks to protect children from potential harm by banning individuals convicted of crimes against minors from working in environments where children are concentrated, including schools, nurseries, day care centers, student dormitories and on school transportation. Businesses operated by such individuals that serve children would be transferred within six months to new management.
Following committee discussions, the legislation is expected to be approved and forwarded to Parliament for final passage, potentially reshaping parental leave policies and child protection in Türkiye.
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