Poll: 68% of Israelis See Turkey as a Serious Threat to National Security

A new survey by the Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security (JCFA), published today (Wednesday) and conducted by Lazar Research, points to significant concern among the Israeli public about Turkey and its expanding presence in the region.

According to the survey, 68% of the Israeli public as a whole and 77% of Jewish Israelis agree that Turkey poses a dangerous security threat to Israel. Sixty percent support military action to prevent the establishment of Turkish infrastructure and bases in Syria. Seventy percent believe Israel should set red lines for Turkey and work with the United States through diplomatic channels to restrain Ankara.

The findings indicate that, for most of the public, Turkey is no longer seen merely as a political rival or a hostile regional player, but as a tangible security threat, particularly in light of the possibility of a Turkish foothold in Syria and near Israel’s borders.

At the same time, when respondents were asked to rank all threats facing the next government, Turkey still ranked relatively low, with a score of 2.8 out of 6, behind Iran, Hamas, and other threats.

The survey’s editors noted that “this gap may be the most troubling finding. The public identifies Turkey as a dangerous threat, but still does not see it as the most urgent threat.” The Jerusalem Center for Foreign Affairs and Security emphasized the significance: “The window of opportunity to address Turkey’s growing foothold may be now, before the threat becomes a reality on the ground.”