(TJV NEWS)  A Turkish journalist widely seen as close to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has argued that Turkey must urgently pursue nuclear weapons capability and take decisive measures against Israel, according to a report by MEMRI.

The report focuses on a column by İbrahim Karagül published in the pro-government daily Yeni Şafak. In his article, Karagül contended that global stability depends on restraining Israel and preventing what he described as an impending large-scale conflict with catastrophic consequences.

According to MEMRI.org, Karagül argued that if the world seeks to prevent a third world war or nuclear disaster, Israel must be “controlled” and stripped of what he characterized as its destabilizing military power. He portrayed Israel as the primary threat to regional and global peace, asserting that its current trajectory could trigger widespread destruction.

Karagül’s column reportedly went beyond criticism of Israeli government policy and instead framed Israel itself as the core driver of instability in the Middle East. He claimed that unless Israel’s military and political structure is curtailed, broader war could erupt. His rhetoric included sweeping accusations and harsh language regarding Israeli leadership and strategy.

In that context, Karagül wrote that Turkey should urgently become a nuclear power, arguing that traditional alliances and conventional military capabilities are no longer sufficient in an era of escalating regional tensions. He suggested that nuclear deterrence is necessary both to protect Turkey and to counterbalance what he depicted as Israel’s dominance.

MEMRI.org reported that Karagül called for a serious strategic reassessment in Ankara, asserting that the country must be prepared for worst-case scenarios in a volatile geopolitical environment. He maintained that without a strong deterrent posture — including nuclear capability — Turkey could be left vulnerable in a rapidly shifting regional order.

Turkey is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and does not possess nuclear weapons. Any move toward developing such capabilities would represent a major shift in its defense doctrine and international commitments.

While Karagül does not hold public office, he is widely regarded as aligned with Erdoğan and influential within pro-government media circles. MEMRI.org highlighted his column as an example of increasingly aggressive rhetoric toward Israel within segments of Turkey’s nationalist press, particularly amid heightened tensions across the Middle East.

The remarks have drawn attention for linking calls for nuclear armament directly to Israel-focused arguments, raising questions about how such commentary reflects broader currents in Turkish political discourse.