Politics
Israel raids Turkish public broadcaster’s Arabic crew
Israeli police raided locations where TV crews stayed in the country upon far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s orders amid the Iran-Israel conflict. Crews of TRT Arabi, an Arabic-language TV station operated by the Turkish public broadcaster, were among the crews hunted down by Israeli forces.
“Broadcasts that show exactly where the missiles land on the State of Israel are a danger to the security of the state and I expect that anyone who does this will be treated as someone who harms the security of the state,” Ben-Gvir said in statements carried by The Times of Israel news outlet on Monday.
Police also seized the equipment of TV crews. A statement by police said they acted upon a “tipoff” and under “zero tolerance” directives of the ministers and raided the hotel where crews were staying. Police said their raid targeted “people who pointed their cameras at the Haifa port.”
Iranian missiles struck Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Petah Tikva and Haifa on Monday, in retaliation for Israel’s attacks against Iran that began last Friday. The police statement said journalists whose equipment was seized were also summoned for questioning. Other targets of Israeli raids were the crew of a Dubai-based TV station.
Live broadcast of Iranian missiles hitting an oil refinery in Haifa on Monday by Qatar-based Al-Jazeera sparked outrage in Israel, and Ben-Gvir has called the intelligence agency Shin Bet to take action against TV broadcasts “endangering state security.” Ben-Gvir has emphasized that they applied censorship against the media to “prevent helping Iran to carry out precision strikes,” claiming TV broadcasts live from the struck locations were crimes.
Israel’s prison authorities also reportedly carried out assaults on Palestinian prisoners in their cells following the alleged celebration of Iranian attacks by prisoners.
Amjad al-Najjar, head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS), was quoted as saying by Palestinian media that Israeli prison units, accompanied by police dogs, raided wards and brutally assaulted Palestinian detainees with batons and tear gas after handcuffing them.
Fahrettin Altun, head of the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, condemned Israel’s attacks on TV crews.
“The Israeli government, unfortunately, continues its lawless actions directed against the journalists who cry out to all humanity about the massacres it has committed, the bloodshed and tears it has caused, its strategy of destabilizing the region, and the threat it has posed to world peace. In recent hours, the live broadcast of TRT Arabic correspondent Fehmi Shtewe and his team from the city of Haifa was cut off by the Israeli police, and their equipment was seized – this is the latest manifestation of this insanity. The Israeli police, acting unlawfully, proceeded to the location where Fehmi was broadcasting, used violence against the Egyptian television channel Alghad TV and the TRT Arabic team, whose sole duty is to report the news. We vehemently condemn this heinous assault on the freedom of the press and the right to information. We leave it to global public opinion to judge the silence of the West and its ‘democratic’ institutions regarding these violations, particularly if and when Israel is the perpetrator, ascribing no significance to any norms or values and completely disregarding them. Once again, we condemn this abominable act. We will continue to be ardent followers and proponents of freedom of expression, the freedom to receive information, and the rights of media professionals,” Alton wrote in a social media post on Tuesday.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas held a phone call to review the latest developments surrounding the ongoing two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, diplomatic sources said Friday.
According to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources, Fidan and Kallas spoke on the latest situation under the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
The two officials also exchanged views on the broader global implications of the temporary truce, the sources said.
The U.S. and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday, brokered by Pakistan, as a step toward a possible broader agreement to halt the conflict on Iran the U.S. and Israel launched on Feb. 28 that has left thousands dead and wounded.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has completed an indictment against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 34 other officials, accusing them of crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity and torture over a raid on the Gaza-bound Sumud aid flotilla.
Turkish Prosecutors named Netanyahu and 34 other senior political and military figures as suspects for committing genocide, crimes against humanity, torture, looting and unlawful detention.
The case, initiated during the tenure of Justice Minister Akın Gürlek as Istanbul chief prosecutor, has now moved into the judicial phase following the acceptance of the indictment.
According to the prosecution, the operation against the Sumud Flotilla was not an isolated action but a “planned, organized and joint act” carried out at the highest levels of the Israeli state.
The flotilla, described as an international civilian initiative, was transporting humanitarian aid to Gaza when it was intercepted by Israeli forces. Armed personnel boarded the vessels, forcibly stopped their movement and detained civilians on board.
Victims were reportedly taken to Israel, held for a period of time and later deported. Testimonies included in the indictment describe physical violence, degrading treatment and prolonged coercion.
Prosecutors said the acts were systematic, pointing to injuries including fractures and concluding that the treatment amounted to torture under Turkish law.
The indictment also details the seizure of humanitarian aid supplies and personal belongings, which were allegedly taken by force by Israel and not returned, forming the basis for aggravated looting charges. Damage to ship equipment was also cited.
Crucially, prosecutors linked the flotilla raid to broader genocide in Gaza, arguing it forms part of a wider pattern of actions targeting civilians, including deprivation of basic needs and forced displacement.
On that basis, the suspects are charged not only with individual offenses but also under provisions related to crimes against humanity and genocide.
The prosecution emphasized Türkiye’s responsibility to investigate violations of fundamental rights regardless of where they occur, especially when its citizens are affected.
Given that the suspects are abroad, prosecutors requested that the trial proceed under fugitive procedures, allowing the case to move forward in their absence.
Demonstrators gathered in several Turkish cities on Friday to protest a move by Israel’s parliament to introduce the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners, with rallies taking place after Friday prayers and drawing participation from civil society groups, students and local residents.
In the capital, protesters assembled at the courtyard of the Hacı Bayram-ı Veli Mosque following Friday prayers in an event organized by the Palestine Support Platform. Participants condemned the proposed legislation and voiced opposition to Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
Speaking on behalf of the platform, board member Muhammed Cihad Çiğdem described the measure as “a clear violation of law” and denounced what he called Israel’s actions in the region. He said the decision to legalize executions for Palestinian detainees amounted to “brutality” and urged greater international awareness and response.
Similar demonstrations were held in other parts of the country, including Zonguldak, Diyarbakır, Şırnak, Niğde, Izmir and Konya. In each location, protesters carried banners and chanted slogans criticizing Israel’s policies and calling for an end to violence in Gaza and across the region.
In the Black Sea province of Zonguldak, students and representatives of nongovernmental organizations gathered at the campus of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, where a statement was read condemning what organizers described as escalating aggression. Speaking for the group, Selman Kürklü from the Palestine Support Platform said the violence had extended beyond Palestinian territories, warning of broader regional instability.
In southeastern Diyarbakır, demonstrators convened outside the Ulu Mosque, chanting slogans and calling for international intervention.
In Niğde, a gathering outside a university mosque drew support from local officials and academics, including the city’s mayor and university representatives. Speakers there emphasized the humanitarian impact of ongoing hostilities and criticized what they described as insufficient global response.
Protests in Izmir’s Konak Square and in Konya after Friday prayers echoed similar concerns, with participants condemning both the reported legislation and Israel’s broader military actions in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.
The demonstrations came amid continued regional tensions following Israel’s offensive in Gaza, launched after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, and ongoing exchanges involving Iran and other regional actors. Protest organizers across Türkiye called for increased international pressure to halt violence and prevent further escalation.
The number of Syrians under Türkiye’s temporary protection regime has fallen by nearly 40% over the past five years, dropping from about 3.7 million in 2021 to roughly 2.3 million in 2026, according to official data compiled from migration figures.
The decline of about 1.4 million people reflects a steady reduction in Türkiye’s Syrian refugee population since it peaked in 2021, when arrivals from the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, reached their highest levels.
Türkiye, which once hosted the world’s largest Syrian refugee community, has seen a gradual decrease in recent years driven largely by voluntary returns and changing conditions in its southern neighbor.
The population fell to about 3.5 million in 2022, 3.2 million in 2023 and 2.9 million in 2024. It stood at roughly 2.35 million at the end of 2025 before declining further in early 2026.
Officials attribute the downward trend primarily to what they describe as voluntary, safe and dignified returns, supported by stabilization efforts in northern Syria and policies aimed at encouraging repatriation.
Türkiye has hosted Syrians fleeing the war under a temporary protection system that allows legal residence and access to essential services without formal refugee status under the 1951 Refugee Convention framework. Authorities say the policy has been implemented in line with humanitarian principles alongside border security measures.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said Türkiye’s approach is being carried out “within the framework of humanitarian values and international law,” adding that return policies are implemented in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s directives.
“In line with the instructions of our President, we are carefully and resolutely taking steps that will contribute to our Syrian brothers and sisters living in peace and security in their own lands,” Çiftçi said in remarks to Anadolu Agency (AA).
He added that Türkiye supports broader reconstruction efforts inside Syria. “We support the ongoing efforts for revival, reconstruction, and normalization of life,” he said, noting that such developments help enable what he described as a more orderly return process.
Changing conditions in Syria
Government statements highlight infrastructure projects, humanitarian assistance and housing construction across the Syrian border as key elements enabling returns. These efforts, officials say, have helped support resettlement in areas cleared of armed groups and improve living conditions inside Syria.
According to official figures, about 1.39 million Syrians have returned from Türkiye to Syria between 2016 and April 2026. Of those, more than 650,000 returned between December 2024 and April 2026, following the collapse of Syria’s long-ruling Baath regime in December 2024.
Officials describe the return process as coordinated and carefully managed. Çiftçi said the government’s priority is ensuring that returns are conducted in an orderly manner, adding that authorities are working “with an understanding that centers human dignity.”
Interior officials say returns are managed through coordination between security agencies and administrative bodies to ensure updated records and controlled border crossings.
Demographics
The Syrian population under temporary protection in Türkiye remains broadly split between genders, with about 1.18 million men and 1.11 million women. The largest age group is adults aged 18 to 64, totaling about 1.17 million people.
Regionally, Istanbul hosts the largest Syrian population with about 405,000 registered individuals, followed by Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa. The smallest registered population is in Hakkari, with just eight Syrians. Tunceli and Bayburt are also among the provinces with the lowest numbers.
Policy shifts, future outlook
Authorities have recently adjusted policies affecting Syrians under temporary protection, including ending eligibility for free health care coverage for new cases as of Jan. 1. Officials say the changes are part of broader planning related to long-term migration management and return strategies.
Turkish officials have also indicated that the temporary protection system may gradually transition toward a residence permit-based framework. Under such a system, Syrians would be required to meet conditions such as housing arrangements, employment status, financial means and health insurance coverage.
Government representatives note that similar policy transitions have taken place in parts of Europe, while emphasizing that Türkiye’s approach has been more gradual due to the scale of its Syrian population.
Authorities have also signaled that financial incentives for returnees may be expanded, including support linked to international funding mechanisms.
Despite the sustained decline, Türkiye continues to host one of the largest Syrian communities in the world. The Syrian war, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions since 2011, forced about 5 million people into neighboring countries, with Türkiye receiving the largest share.
Officials say further returns are expected in the coming period as conditions inside Syria evolve and reconstruction efforts continue, while stressing that participation in return programs remains voluntary.
Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry called on the international community to act against Israel’s approval of 34 new illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, describing the move as a “serious violation” of international law and U.N. resolutions.
In a written statement, the ministry condemned the decision by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu to authorize new settlement construction, warning that it undermines prospects for a two-state solution.
The statement said Israel’s actions further entrench occupation policies and weaken efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region.
Reiterating Ankara’s position, the ministry stressed that the expansion of settlements runs counter to international law and damages the foundations of a viable peace process.
Türkiye also urged the international community to take concrete steps in response to what it described as unlawful initiatives.
Israel has intensified operations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since launching its military campaign in Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023. Palestinians view the escalation – including killings, arrests, displacement, and settlement expansion – as a step toward formal annexation of the territory.
In a landmark opinion in July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed the need to protect the cease-fire process from disruption and maximize upcoming negotiations for lasting peace during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
In a call with his Iranian counterpart, Erdoğan highlighted Türkiye’s active diplomatic role in helping pave the way for the cease-fire, noting that Ankara worked closely with relevant countries throughout the process.
He emphasized that the upcoming negotiations present a critical opportunity to achieve permanent peace and stability, warning that efforts to undermine the process must not be allowed to succeed.
Erdoğan also reiterated that Türkiye stands ready to continue contributing to the process alongside friendly nations, underlining Ankara’s commitment to regional stability and dialogue.
Expressing condolences for the losses suffered by the Iranian people, Erdoğan said Türkiye’s broader goal is to help establish a new climate of common sense and dialogue across the region.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz: All of Türkiye will win when terrorism is off the agenda
Turkish FM, EU’s Kallas discuss US-Iran cease-fire in phone call
BREAKING NEWS! President Erdoğan met with Emmanuel Macron! Here are the topics discussed: ‘Iran’ message to the world
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz: All of Türkiye will win when terrorism is off the agenda
Turkish FM, EU’s Kallas discuss US-Iran cease-fire in phone call
BREAKING NEWS! President Erdoğan met with Emmanuel Macron! Here are the topics discussed: ‘Iran’ message to the world
-
Politics3 days agoTürkiye destined for key security role: VP Yılmaz
-
Daily Agenda2 days agoBy-election message from Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Bekir Bozdağ: Turkish people do not have such an agenda
-
Daily Agenda2 days agoDMM denied the claim that ‘chemical spraying was carried out by planes’
-
Daily Agenda2 days agoAK Party Spokesperson Çelik: The important thing is to achieve permanent peace
-
Politics3 days agoRussian FM confirms attendance to Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye
-
Politics3 days agoTurkish, Pakistani top diplomats discuss efforts to end Iran war
-
Daily Agenda1 day agoScientific touch to historical artifacts in museums
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoMinister Göktaş: “We do not have an agenda to close or ban the games”