Controversial Opinion Piece Promotes Nationalist Rhetoric and Territorial Revisionism Without Evidence
A prominent Turkish columnist has published a provocative and unsubstantiated article claiming that Israel is transforming the Republic of Cyprus into a "terror base" and reviving the defunct EOKA organization to target Turkey. The inflammatory piece, published Friday in Yeni Şafak, raises serious concerns about the spread of disinformation through pro-government media outlets.
İbrahim Karagül, writing for Yeni Şafak—a newspaper widely recognized as a staunch supporter of President Erdoğan's ruling AKP party—asserted without providing any credible evidence that "Israel has turned Greek Cyprus into a terror base" and is "rebuilding EOKA" to construct a "terror wall" against Turkey in the Mediterranean. The columnist further claimed that the Aegean islands represent "natural extensions of Anatolia" that could be "transferred to Turkey" through military means if necessary.
The article is notable for its complete absence of verifiable sources, expert opinions, or documented evidence to support its extraordinary claims. International observers and fact-checkers have found no credible reports confirming Israeli military or intelligence bases operating in Cyprus for purposes targeting Turkey. The Republic of Cyprus maintains standard defense cooperation agreements with various nations, including Israel, but characterizing the island as a "terror base" represents a significant departure from established facts.
Karagül's piece exemplifies a troubling pattern of nationalist and revisionist rhetoric emanating from Turkey's pro-government media landscape. The suggestion that Greece's Aegean islands could legitimately be claimed by Turkey contradicts established international law, the Treaty of Lausanne, and decades of diplomatic precedent. Such territorial revisionism, presented as legitimate political commentary, risks inflaming regional tensions and undermining diplomatic stability.
The timing of the article coincides with Turkey's ongoing domestic political challenges and its strained relationships with Western allies. Critics argue that such inflammatory content serves to distract from internal issues while rallying nationalist sentiment. The piece's characterization of virtually all Middle Eastern conflicts as Israeli-orchestrated conspiracies reflects a conspiratorial worldview that oversimplifies complex geopolitical realities.
Particularly concerning is the article's threatening language toward EU member states Cyprus and Greece, suggesting they could become direct military targets. Such rhetoric from mainstream media figures complicates already delicate diplomatic relationships and undermines Turkey's stated commitment to peaceful resolution of regional disputes.
Media analysts note that Yeni Şafak has consistently promoted government narratives while marginalizing dissenting voices, contributing to Turkey's declining press freedom rankings. The newspaper's willingness to publish unverified claims as news analysis raises questions about editorial standards and journalistic integrity.
The European Union and NATO have not responded to the specific allegations, though diplomatic sources privately express concern about the escalatory nature of such commentary. Cyprus government officials have dismissed the claims as baseless propaganda intended for domestic Turkish consumption.
As tensions persist in the Eastern Mediterranean, responsible journalism becomes increasingly crucial. Articles promoting unfounded conspiracy theories and territorial revisionism, regardless of their source, undermine regional stability and the prospects for peaceful dialogue.