Netanyahu casts Turkey as Israel’s new villain amid tough re-election fight

In a bid to bolster his chances ahead of the October 27 re-election, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cast Turkey as a new adversary, according to wire reports. Two days prior, warplanes conducted airstrikes on a base in northern Syria near the Turkish border. Netanyahu accused Turkey of seeking a military foothold in the region and, after the Turkish government disregarded Israel's warnings, stated that their stance was "made clear."

The campaign has even placed billboards displaying images of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with the caption, "They want Netanyahu to lose." Erdogan has been a staunch critic of Israel's operation in Gaza since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. While tensions between Israel and Turkey have risen, the two countries still share certain alliances. Turkey is a NATO member, and Erdogan has a cordial relationship with US President Donald Trump, whose ambassador to Ankara criticized Israel's strikes.

However, Israel's left-leaning leader, Yair Golan, termed the Syrian attack as "provocative and dangerous," warning that it may intensify the rift with the United States, a key ally for both nations. Golan also expressed concern that military force is being utilized for political purposes, and Israel is bearing the security costs.

Erdogan, who has accommodated Hamas leaders in Turkey, has his share of Israeli critics as well. Opposition figure Naftali Bennett, a former Prime Minister, accused Netanyahu of disregarding a "new Turkish threat" by focusing solely on Iran. Senior research fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, Gallia Lindenstrauss, pointed out that Erdogan's harsh language exacerbates Israeli concerns.

She also mentioned worries that Turkey could potentially allow militant groups to operate within Syria, posing a future threat to Israel.

While Netanyahu's use of the anti-Turkish card may help unify his base, it may not sit well with international observers. According to Gallia Lindenstrauss, any further direct action against Turkey might make Netanyahu appear "reckless" and unable to rely on the support of influential allies like the Trump administration. Turkey's shifting interests in Syria, from preventing Kurdish fighter spillovers to reviving the country's economy and fostering regional alliances, have complicated its relationship with Israel, with both nations striving for stability while holding differing views on its definition.