Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett equates Turkey with Iran, warning of a sophisticated encirclement strategy that threatens Israel’s survival and demands urgent Zionist unity.
Story Highlights
- Bennett labels Turkey the “new Iran,” urging action against both Ankara and Tehran amid a hostile Sunni axis with Qatar, Muslim Brotherhood, and nuclear-armed Pakistan.
- Israeli diplomat Ofir Akunis declares Turkey an “enemy” over its Gaza and Syria positions, echoing opposition voices like Itamar Ben-Gvir.
- Tensions stem from Erdoğan’s support for Hamas, trade embargo, and Syrian influence, shifting Turkey from ally to proxy threat like Iran.
Bennett’s Stark Warning
Naftali Bennett spoke at the 2026 Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem. He described Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as a sophisticated adversary seeking to encircle Israel. Bennett linked Turkey to Qatar, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Pakistan in building a Sunni axis aimed at alienating Saudi Arabia from Israel. This rhetoric frames Turkey as Israel’s primary strategic foe after Iran, calling for simultaneous action against both capitals.
Escalation from Gaza to Syria
Relations deteriorated after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and Gaza war. Turkey imposed a trade embargo, hosted Hamas leaders, and faced Erdoğan’s accusations of Israeli genocide and Hitler-like acts. In Syria, a Turkish-backed coup installed Ahmad al-Sharaa, dependent on Ankara. Israel opposes Turkish roles in Gaza and Syria, viewing them as proxy warfare mirroring Iran’s model. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called Erdoğan a Muslim Brotherhood figure who massacred Kurds.
Key Voices and Power Shifts
Ofir Akunis, Israel’s New York Consul General, labeled Turkey an enemy due to its Gaza and Syria stances. Itamar Ben-Gvir has long viewed Turkish leadership as existential threats. Erdoğan leverages U.S. ties under President Trump while pursuing regional hegemony through embargoes and proxies. Historically, Turkey allied with Israel pre-2003 under military cooperation, but Erdoğan’s religious nationalism radicalized ties. IDF planners now see Turkey as a turbulence source like Iran.
Implications for U.S. and Regional Stability
In Trump’s second term, with Republican control of Congress, Turkish-Israeli friction complicates America First priorities. Trump praises Erdoğan personally but Israel shuts doors on Turkish Gaza involvement, rejecting armed forces despite Ankara’s aid claims. This risks NATO strains and U.S. mediation challenges. Short-term, rhetoric heightens miscalculation in Syria and Gaza; long-term, Turkey could open an eighth front, diverting Israeli resources from Iran. Both sides’ citizens face security fears and economic hits from embargoes.
Bennett’s unity call resonates amid Israeli divisions, critiquing focus on internal politics over threats. Turks endure economic fallout, while Gaza and Syria civilians suffer proxy battles. Globally, Jews heed warnings of antisemitic extremism in Turkey. This underscores elite distractions from citizen hardships, echoing frustrations across political lines.
Sources:
Bennett warns of ‘new Turkish threat,’ calls for Zionist unity
Former Israeli PM Bennett warns: Turkey poses a new threat
Israeli diplomat labels Türkiye an enemy over Gaza and Syria stances
Israel sizes up its next enemy: Will Turkey become the new Iran?
JPost op-ed on Erdoğan’s threat
Former Israeli PM Naftali Bennett says Turkey new Iran
