U.S. envoy: Israel risked confrontation with Turkey by 'baiting' Ankara
Barrack said Turkish forces could have scrambled their jets after Israel struck the Syrian airbase without warning. He compared the incident to Turkey's 2015 downing of a Russian fighter near the Syrian border
US Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, has stated that Israel's occupation of Syria's Golan Heights persists despite it being against UN resolutions and international law. Barrack's comments contradict his own government, as the US recognized Israeli sovereignty over the territory in 2019. The Golan Heights, a strategic plateau, was captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war and never recognized as Israeli territory by the international community.
UN Resolution 242 demands Israel's withdrawal from the Golan and other occupied territories. Barrack, in an interview with broadcaster Mario Nawfal, expressed doubts about Israel's plans to annex Lebanese territory, stating that America's support for Israel is waning. He also highlighted the ongoing Israeli occupation of the Golan, which is in violation of UN resolutions and international order.
Barrack further warned that the Turkish government could face consequences from Israel's actions, as the latter may be "baiting the Turks" with aircraft deployments without prior notification.
Written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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