Turkish VP condemns Israel’s actions in Golan Heights, calling them ‘illegitimate’

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz strongly condemned Israel’s actions in the Golan Heights during his speech in Parliament regarding Türkiye’s 2025 presidential budget.

Yilmaz labeled Israel‘s activities as “illegitimate” and warned that they pose significant threats to Syria’s stability as the nation ends the 61-year-old Baathist regime.

Turkish VP criticizes Israel’s actions in Golan Heights

Yilmaz also denounced foreign interference in Syria‘s internal affairs, particularly targeting Israel’s expansionist policies.

“No foreign power has the right to destabilize Syria or undermine its efforts to rebuild,” Yilmaz stated. “Israel’s actions are illegitimate and unacceptable, and we do not condone them in any way.”

We do not want any external force to interfere with the stability and positive developments in Syria. We consider Israel’s actions, which extend beyond the Golan Heights and expand the occupied territories, to be extremely dangerous and disruptive to Syria’s stability. No country, including Israel, has the right to do this to a people who have suffered so much, resisted honorably, and are striving to rebuild their country. These actions are illegitimate.

I would like to state clearly that we do not condone them in any way. No foreign power should adopt a stance that disrupts Syria’s stability or undermines its efforts to rebuild its future.

Of course, we express the same wishes for Gaza, the West Bank, and the Palestinian people. The Syrian people have achieved their current situation through a long struggle and great suffering. They endured and triumphed. Those who persevere achieve victory. We wholeheartedly celebrate this. God willing, the Palestinian people will also crown their long-standing struggle with victory one day. We have no doubt about this.

As the Republic of Türkiye, we will continue to stand by their rightful struggle to the very end. We will continue to support the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause.”

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz

Türkiye advocates for Syria’s sovereignty and stability

Yilmaz reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity and political independence.

He emphasized the importance of an inclusive political structure that encompasses all segments of Syrian society, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or sect.

Our stance and position as the Republic of Türkiye are very clear. We advocate for a political structure in Syria that includes all segments of the Syrian people, regardless of religion, sect, belief, or ethnic identity, and we are making every effort to contribute to this. We stand for Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

We desire a unified Syria that continues to exist as a whole and builds a future of peace and prosperity. We envision a Syria that does not export instability to its neighbors or the region, that achieves internal peace and stability, and that contributes to the peace, stability, and prosperity of the entire region.

Of course, this is not easy. The current process inevitably involves certain uncertainties and risks, but we stand with all of the Syrian people and will continue to do so with all our efforts.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz

Call for international responsibility for Syria’s reconstruction

Yilmaz urged the global community, including the United Nations, European Union, and regional partners, to play an active role in Syria’s reconstruction.

He stressed the need for collective action to help rebuild Syria’s economy, institutions, and infrastructure while ensuring the safe and dignified return of displaced Syrians.

I believe that when the right conditions are met, Syria will recover very quickly. We just need to support them together. Unfortunately, Syria’s infrastructure, economy, and institutions have been devastated over the past 13-14 years. Now is the time for reconstruction. We must rebuild Syria together—with its economy, institutions, and infrastructure. This responsibility falls on the international community and all responsible nations.

Let us all contribute to Syria’s reconstruction process. From the United Nations to the European Union and friendly countries in the region, we need to collaborate on this. We can do this together with the Syrian people.

Syrian citizens, following the revolution, are doing their best to clean their streets and the front of their homes. A society capable of this can also rebuild its future very well. We just need to unite and support them.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz