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By Ioanna Theou
Recent information among Israel political elites suggests a shift in how regional threats of Israel are changed. While Iran has been viewed as Israel’s principal enemy, a growing number of Israeli politicians are now framing Turkey as an emerging strategic concern. This rhetorical evolution, mentioned by Al- Jazeera, Daily Sabah and Polskie Radio -and from other media as well-, and reflects both regional geopolitical shifts and domestic political considerations.
Statements by figures such as Naftali Bennett express an increasing willingness to group Turkey alongside Iran within a broader category of regional threats. Bennett has argued that Israel must be prepared to confront not Tehran’s influence but also Ankara’s growing assertiveness. This framing shows a redefinition of threat perception that extends beyond traditional security concerns -for instance, Iran’s claims about nuclear military equipment- to include geopolitical competition with a NATO member state.
At the same time, Netanyahu has emphasized the importance of building new regional alliances and he made references about Israel’s desires. Netanyahu wants to expand partnerships with countries such as Greece and Cyprus in order to counterbalance Turkey’s regional influence in the Eastern Mediterranean. These developments emphasize the point in which Israel deepens cooperation with actors that share concerns about Ankara’s policies.
Let’s face it.. the Davutoglu Doctrine and Mavi Vatan are very dangerous for Greece, Cyprus and even Israel. A powerful Turkey could harm Israel as well. For this reason, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and even the Syrian Kurds have a strategic interest in constraining the expansion of Turkey’s assertive foreign policy.
Turkish-Israeli relations currently are extremely tense due to their differing perspectives. For example Israel is at war with Hamas and Turkey is constantly criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza. The Turkish government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan supports Hamas and its causes to the Israel-Hamas war. Another difficult point in the Turkish-Israeli relations is Syria. Both countries are competing for greater influence and territories in Syria.
Bibliography
‘’Israel increasingly casts NATO member Turkey as regional threat alongside Iran’’, Portal Polskiego Radia SA, 26/02/2026. https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7785/Artykul/3653182,israel-increasingly-casts-nato-member-turkey-as-regional-threat-alongside-iran-press
‘’Israeli politicians drum up the Türkiye threat as focus shifts beyond Iran’’ Daily Sabah, 24/02/2026.
https://www.dailysabah.com/world/mid-east/israeli-politicians-drum-up-turkiye-threat-as-focus-shifts-beyond-iran
Cordall, S. S., ‘’Turkish ‘threat’ talked up in Israel as Netanyahu focuses on new alliances’’, Al Jazeera, 23/02/2026.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/23/turkish-threat-talked-up-israel-netanyahu-focuses-new-alliances
Goksedef, E., ‘’What is behind Turkey’s staunch support for Hamas in Gaza?’’, BBC, 02/01/2024.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67861266
Özkizilcik, Ö., ‘’Turkey-Israel Rivalry in the New Syria’’ STIMSON, 14/01/2026.
https://www.stimson.org/2026/turkey-israel-rivalry-in-the-new-syria/