Israeli Minister Warns Conflict With Turkey Is "Absolutely Possible"

Amichai Chikli, Israel's Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, warned today (Thursday) that a military confrontation between Israel and Turkey is "absolutely possible" amid the continuing deterioration in relations between the two countries.

Speaking in an interview with Kan News on Reshet Bet, Chikli said Israel cannot dismiss the possibility of military action by Turkey and expressed concern over recent developments in relations between Ankara and Washington.

His remarks came amid discussions between Turkey and the United States over the potential purchase of F-35 fighter jets, as well as comments by U.S. President Donald Trump following his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, where he said his administration is considering moving the deal forward.

Referring to the relationship between Trump and Erdogan, Chikli said, "All this friendship with Erdogan is very problematic from our perspective, including for NATO."

He added that Israel must take seriously the statements made by Turkey's leadership.

"We have learned that it is very important to listen to what leaders around the world say, and to what the enemies of the State of Israel say. And when Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says that Israel is a burden on humanity, that humanity can no longer bear it, that is a very, very serious statement."

Chikli also argued that the absence of a U.S. commitment to sell F-35 aircraft to Turkey is an achievement from Israel's perspective.

"There was no declaration that he would give them F-35 aircraft, and that is to a large extent a significant achievement by the prime minister, who did not hide his opinion, and also by Greece and Cyprus, which applied very strong pressure," he said.

The minister linked these developments to what he described as Ankara's increasingly hostile rhetoric toward Israel.

"I have been closely following the statements made in recent months, and what we are seeing is unlike anything else. I had never heard the Turks say, 'We intend to liberate Jerusalem,' until the past few months, or 'to do in Israel what we did in Syria.' There were no such statements."

Relations between Israel and Turkey have deteriorated sharply in recent years, with President Erdogan repeatedly criticizing Israel. Most recently, he claimed that "Israel's attacks in Syria and Lebanon have reached the point where they threaten Turkey."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by saying: "The antisemitic dictator Erdogan, who is committing genocide against the Kurds, supports the Hamas terror organization, oppresses his own people, and jails political opponents, is the last person who can preach morality to the State of Israel."