Netanyahu under fire in Israeli media over widening tensions with Türkiye

Israeli media have stepped up criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over rising tensions with Türkiye, warning that his government’s policies risk opening another front as Israel remains engaged in conflicts across the region.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz accused Netanyahu of dragging Israel into what it described as another “pointless conflict,” this time with Türkiye, amid heightened tensions following Israel’s Aug. 18 strike on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur military air base.

The newspaper said anti-Türkiye rhetoric in Israel had intensified and warned that a potential confrontation with Ankara could carry significant costs. It argued that military strikes alone could not guarantee Israel’s security and called for diplomacy and a coherent regional strategy.

“Has anyone considered what a war with Türkiye would look like and what its costs would be?” the newspaper asked, noting Türkiye’s membership in NATO and close ties with the United States.

The report also cited warnings from U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack about the risk of a direct military confrontation between Türkiye and Israel.

Israeli news outlet Ynet similarly criticized Netanyahu’s government, warning that tensions with Türkiye could create an eighth front in Israel’s continuing regional war. It said public threats and political posturing were increasingly replacing diplomacy and risked turning a manageable dispute into a dangerous confrontation.

Israeli newspaper Maariv, meanwhile, reported concerns among senior officials over the possibility of opening another front.

The criticism comes as relations between Israel and Syria have also deteriorated following the Israeli strike.

On the other hand, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani said Damascus suspended contacts with Israel after the Aug. 18 attack and currently does not trust the Israeli government.

“We believe there should be communication, especially with a party that continuously threatens Syria’s security,” Shaibani told Reuters. “But if this communication does not produce results, we do not need it.”

Shaibani also emphasized Türkiye’s role in supporting Syria as Damascus seeks to rebuild its armed forces, saying the country benefits from Turkish assistance in military training and cooperation.

He expressed appreciation for Ankara’s support and indicated that Syria intends to maintain its defense cooperation with Türkiye despite Israeli concerns over the Turkish presence and influence in Syria.

In an interview last month with the UAE-based The National, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed tensions between Türkiye and Israel, as well as the Israeli government’s regional policies.

Fidan said there was no reason for a direct confrontation between Türkiye and Israel, arguing that Netanyahu has increasingly resorted to hostile rhetoric as he seeks a new political adversary ahead of the country’s upcoming elections.

DAILYSABAH