What’s behind Israel’s latest attack on Syria?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is increasingly targeting Turkey in the lead-up to the October 27 election, according to reports. The move comes after Netanyahu ordered attacks on various enemies across the Middle East over the past two years. On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes bombed a base in northern Syria, near the Turkish border, accusing Turkey of establishing a military presence there.

Defense Minister Israel Katz accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of dragging Turkey into dangerous adventures in Syria.

Netanyahu's campaign has been running billboards featuring images of several world leaders, including Erdogan, with the caption "They want Netanyahu to lose." Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel's offensive in Gaza since the Hamas attack on Oct 7, 2023. Relations have been strained due to Israel's interceptions of humanitarian flotillas from Turkey bound for Gaza.

Unlike other countries attacked by Netanyahu, such as Iran, Turkey possesses powerful allies, including NATO membership and a warm relationship with US President Donald Trump. However, Netanyahu's attack in Syria is seen as provocative by opposition figures like Yair Golan, who warned that it brings Israel closer to a confrontation with Turkey and deepens the rift with US allies. Golan stated that using military force for political considerations places Israel at risk of security challenges.

Erdogan's actions have also drawn criticism from other Israeli opposition figures, such as Naftali Bennett, who accused Netanyahu of ignoring a new Turkish threat while focusing solely on Iran. Israeli experts express concerns that Erdogan's uncompromising language may lead Turkey to allow militant groups to operate in Syria, potentially posing a future threat to Israel.

Despite these concerns, Netanyahu's strategy of targeting Turkey appears to be a calculated move to unify his base and gain support ahead of the election. However, the risk of escalating tensions with Turkey and its powerful allies looms large, potentially backfiring on Netanyahu's political ambitions.