Senior Israeli politicians are raising the stakes, branding Turkiye as a major regional menace—on par with Iran. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett led the charge last week, demanding Israel tackle threats from both Tehran and Ankara simultaneously.
Bennett Warns of ‘New Turkish Threat’
At a recent conference, Bennett warned that “a new Turkish threat is emerging,” accusing Turkiye of aligning itself in a regional axis “similar to the Iranian one.” He urged Israel to confront the hostility from both capitals together.
Bennett isn’t alone. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed plans for a new international “hexagon” alliance designed to counter an “emerging radical Sunni axis,” widely understood to be directed at Turkey as well as Iran’s Shia bloc.
Tensions Between Israel and Turkey Heat Up
- Relations have soured sharply amid Israeli military operations in Gaza.
- Turkish President Erdogan has grown increasingly hostile toward Israel.
- Turkiye is strengthening ties with regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
- Turkey’s potential role in Gaza’s security arrangements is politically toxic in Israel.
Experts Push Back: Turkey Isn’t Iran
“Israel has worked alongside Turkiye numerous times,” said former Israeli ambassador Alon Pinkas. “Now they’re trying to replace Iran with Turkiye? What are they talking about—armed conflict? Turkiye is a NATO power.”
Pinkas slammed the idea Turkey denies Israel’s right to exist or threatens its destruction as simply “ridiculous.”
Pinkas called the threat narrative a political tool used repeatedly in Israel to rally support. “If it wasn’t Turkiye, it would be Iraq. If it wasn’t Iraq, it would be Hezbollah. There just always needs to be a threat.”
Yossi Mekelberg from Chatham House described the Turkey scare as “just so much noise” and a diversion from the real focus: Iran. But he warned that hostile rhetoric could make Ankara a real enemy.
Political analyst Ori Goldberg labelled Netanyahu’s alliance efforts “desperate” after Israel “burnt through” ties with Russia and the US.
What’s Next?
The Turkish threat narrative could shape Israel’s election campaign and policy moves in the coming months, especially if Bennett gains ground. For now, the nation grapples with whether Ankara is an immediate enemy or merely a noisy rival.
