At CICA Summit in Baku, Turkish and 10+ Country Delegations Walk Out During Israeli President's Speech

In the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, during the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) on October 15, 2026, a sharp diplomatic incident occurred. During the speech by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the delegation led by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, as well as representatives of more than ten states, demonstratively left the assembly hall, declaring an open boycott. The incident attracted the attention of international diplomatic circles and became one of the most prominent episodes of the summit, overshadowing the official agenda.

Walkout During the Speech

According to available reports, when the head of the Israeli state took the podium to address the summit participants, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stood up and left the hall. Following him, official representatives and delegation members from more than ten other participating states also followed suit, effectively emptying the hall. Such a collective démarche became a direct and public signal of disapproval toward Israel at a multilateral venue.

Context: The Situation Around Gaza and Lebanon

The sharp protest is directly linked to the ongoing military operations and humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, particularly around Gaza and Lebanon. In recent months, the Turkish side has sharply condemned Israel's military operations and its actions against civilians, demanding the introduction of strict restrictions at the level of international organizations. It was this line by Ankara that determined the nature of its behavior at the Baku summit.

Regional Solidarity

The simultaneous departure of representatives from more than ten other states showed that many countries of Asia and the Islamic world are acting as a united front on this issue. The joint démarche demonstrated the tough and uncompromising position of a number of states regarding Tel Aviv's policies amid the acute geopolitical crisis in the Middle East.

Significance for International Diplomacy

This incident indicates that political divisions at major venues discussing regional security and cooperation issues continue to deepen. According to diplomatic observers, this step caused a greater resonance than the official statements on the summit agenda and became another striking manifestation of growing diplomatic pressure on the Israeli leadership in the international arena.