Photo: Abdullah Sarica
Washington probably does not share Israel’s position on Turkey’s role in Syria after US President Donald Trump’s recent positive comments about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ankara’s influence on the situation in Damascus. This became known after Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, 7 April 2025.
During the meeting, Trump was asked about Turkey’s position in Syria and possible tensions between Ankara and Israel in the region. The US president suggested that his “excellent relationship” with Erdogan, which was evident during his first term, could be the basis for resolving the situation. Then, under the Trump administration, Israel was actively conducting air strikes in Syria against Iran as part of a “war between wars” campaign to weaken Tehran’s influence and its cooperation with Hezbollah. However, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the situation changed dramatically.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Israel is now concerned that Turkey’s ties with the new government in Damascus could replace the Iranian threat with a new one – the Turkish one. The situation is complicated by the fact that Turkey is a NATO member and its ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) shares ideological foundations with the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, which is a concern for Israel. Erdogan has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel over the past decade, comparing it to Nazi Germany and supporting Hamas, whose leaders have visited Turkey on numerous occasions.
Commenting on the situation, Trump expressed support for Erdogan and his role in Syria. “You have to give him credit,” the US president said, adding that Turkey played an important role in supporting the “surrogates” who seized Damascus after Assad’s fall. He also suggested that Netanyahu be “reasonable” about Israel’s demands in Syria and expressed his willingness to mediate in the event of an escalation between Israel and Turkey. “I hope that’s not going to be a problem,” Trump said, stressing that there is “no problem” between the US and Turkey.
Meanwhile, Turkey maintains a cautious stance on Syria, avoiding a direct conflict with Israel. At the same time, Israel is demonstrating a more aggressive approach, setting “red lines” for Ankara. The recent air strikes on the T-4 air base near Palmyra were probably aimed at curbing Turkish influence in the region.
Trump’s positive statements about Erdogan underscore the differences between Washington and Israel in their views of Turkey. For Israel, Ankara’s support for Hamas and its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood remain a serious threat. Trump, on the other hand, seems to see Turkey as a partner that could play a greater role in Syria’s future.
This political move by Trump could have far-reaching consequences. Israel is concerned about the potential strengthening of Turkey’s position, especially if Ankara feels more supported by the White House. At the same time, Trump has assured that he is ready to help smooth out any future conflicts. How events unfold depends on Turkey’s next steps and Israel’s response to the new reality in the region.
