Turkish diplomatic stance on Middle East stability

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş has articulated a vision for regional stability centered on diplomacy and international law. In late October 2026, Kurtulmuş advocated for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, while criticizing Israeli administration actions in Gaza and the West Bank.

By November 2026, his focus expanded to the broader Middle East, where he called for a new regional social contract. Kurtulmuş argued that lasting peace requires advancements in human rights and legal frameworks rather than just the cessation of hostilities. He noted that in a shifting global order, the challenge lies in ensuring power is constrained by international law, positioning Turkey as a proactive participant in regional developments.

During an event organized by the Middle East Studies Center and Oxford University on November 9, 2026, Kurtulmuş reiterated that Turkey must act as a proactive solution provider in a transitioning multipolar system. He emphasized that multipolarity does not guarantee justice unless governed by international law and that regional stability depends on protecting the dignity and rights of all peoples.

Domestically, Kurtulmuş described the “Terror-free Turkey” process as a major project for the second century of the Republic. He noted the process has reached a positive stage following the passage of the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, which received support from 467 members of parliament. To oversee this, Kurtulmuş is visiting political groups, including the CHP and the Yeni Yol group, to discuss establishing a parliamentary Monitoring Commission.