Haaretz: Netanyahu's Syria Strike Could Plunge Israel into a Pointless Conflict with Türkiye

The repercussions of Israel's attack on a military airport on Syria's border with Türkiye last month continue in Israel. An article titled "Netanyahu is Dragging Israel into Another Pointless Conflict – This Time with Türkiye" was published in Haaretz, one of the country's largest newspapers.

The article emphasizes that ensuring security and fending off threats is not possible only by bombing, and that such steps cannot replace diplomacy and a well-thought-out policy, but this fact does not mean anything in the Netanyahu era.

While it was wondered whether Benjamin Netanyahu would wage war in Gaza or Lebanon or set fire to the West Bank before the Israeli General Elections, it is stated that Netanyahu decided to expand the front with Turkey by making a move in Syria.

The newspaper writes that anti-Türkiye rhetoric has been heard in Israel for months and that these rhetoric have now turned into an attack on a military airport in Syria. Netanyahu claims that he acted to counter the expansion of the Turkish presence in this region, but Ankara and Washington vehemently deny this and accuse Netanyahu of acting in line with electoral interests.

Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Turkey and the US President's Special Representative for Syria, said that the attack on the base could turn into a direct military conflict between Israel and Türkiye, and that this could be the main purpose.

Barrack stated that Türkiye did not intend to attack Israel or engage in a military conflict with it, and that Israel might be acting irrationally because it was during the election period.

The newspaper also examines the timing of the attack on the military air base in Syria. According to the newspaper, the attack came at an interesting time. Syria is in a period of regeneration and is moving closer to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This draws praise from the US and Europe.

While many people around the world are interested in stabilizing Syria, it is Israel that is actually acting against this logic.

Therefore, Israel alienates not only Syria, but also all other actors there, especially the USA. The newspaper states that it may be logical for Israel to be concerned about Türkiye's influence, especially in Syria and the region in general. However, it is questioned whether such an attack would be effective against Türkiye. It is noted that all diplomatic means have been exhausted.

The newspaper highlights that Türkiye is a member of NATO and a close ally of the United States, and was formerly an ally of Israel. It is stated that there is a state with an embassy in Tel Aviv and the following question is asked: Has no one thought about what a war with Türkiye would look like and how much it would cost?

Haaretz newspaper states that Israel needs to formulate a new policy to deal with multifaceted and new challenges in the Middle East. Netanyahu's operation in Syria is described as 'dangerous and meaningless', and criticism is made that, contrary to the attack that Netanyahu boasted about, new alliances have been formed under his nose and Israel is not a part of them.

Finally, the newspaper states that Israel should heed the warnings expressed by US Ambassador Barrack and avoid entering into conflict with Türkiye.