Tel Aviv, Israel – Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak sharply criticized Benjamin Netanyahu’s government over the escalating tensions with Turkey. He argued that engaging in a political and security confrontation with Ankara at this time is a reckless move. Barak accused the Israeli prime minister of handling the Turkish issue in a manner driven by domestic political calculations. He also suggested that the increased tensions with Ankara might be linked to Netanyahu’s desire to exploit security concerns ahead of the elections.
The former prime minister warned against allowing the disputes with Turkey to escalate into an open crisis. He emphasized that Ankara differs fundamentally from the regional adversaries with whom Israel has engaged in direct confrontations in recent years. Furthermore, he argued that escalating tensions with Turkey could create even greater security and political challenges. Barak indicated that Israel needs to manage regional disputes rationally, rather than taking steps that could broaden the scope of confrontations, especially given the multiple crises Tel Aviv faces on several fronts.
He also argued that igniting new crises in the region would not resolve the internal problems facing the Israeli government. On the contrary, it could increase political and public pressure on Netanyahu. Barak’s statements come amid escalating tensions in Israeli-Turkish relations, stemming from the two countries’ divergent positions on several regional issues, most notably the war in Gaza and the military and political developments in the region. Barak’s criticism reflects the ongoing division within Israel regarding Netanyahu’s handling of security and foreign policy. It also highlights concerns that escalating tensions with new regional powers could open up additional avenues for confrontation. This comes at a time when Israel is already facing mounting political and security pressures.
