Netanyahu under fire: ex-minister says Syria strike sparked Türkiye crisis

A former Israeli defense minister has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately provoking tensions with Türkiye. Moshe Yaalon said the Israeli premier initiated the conflict by ordering an attack on an airport in northern Syria, a move that also drew condemnation from the United States. Yaalon, who served as defense minister from 2013 to 2016, made the remarks in a recent interview. He claimed the strike was unnecessary and created a diplomatic crisis with Ankara, which has strong ties to the Syrian government. The attack in question targeted an airport used by Iranian-backed forces, according to Israeli officials at the time. However, Yaalon argued that Netanyahu’s decision went beyond security needs and was aimed at shifting attention away from domestic political problems. The United States publicly criticized the strike, warning that it risked escalating regional instability. Türkiye responded by recalling its ambassador and suspending military coordination talks with Israel. Netanyahu’s office has not yet responded to Yaalon’s accusations. The former minister’s comments are likely to deepen a public split within Israel’s security establishment over the prime minister’s handling of foreign policy.