Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel does not seek to clash with Turkey in Syria, highlighting discussions he had with U.S. President Donald Trump to find ways to prevent such a conflict. Netanyahu described Trump as the ideal mediator in these efforts.
The announcement came shortly before the planned joint press conference between Trump and Netanyahu was abruptly canceled by the White House, which did not provide an immediate explanation for the change in plans, reads a Daily Sabah report.
"We don't want Syria to be used by anyone, including Turkey, as a base to attack Israel," Netanyahu stated. He added that Turkey maintains a strong relationship with the United States, and the two leaders had discussed ways to avoid potential conflict between Israel and Turkey. Netanyahu also suggested that President Trump, due to his positive rapport with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, could be key in de-escalating tensions between Ankara and Tel Aviv.
Trump, in turn, advised Netanyahu to approach disputes with Turkey with reason. "You have to be reasonable," Trump said during a meeting in the Oval Office. "Any problem that you have with Turkey, I think I can solve. I mean, as long as you're reasonable, you have to be reasonable. We have to be reasonable." Trump reassured Netanyahu, "Bibi, if you have a problem with Turkey, I really think you're going to be able to work it out. You know, I have a very, very good relationship with Turkey and with their leader, and I think we'll be able to work it out. So I hope that's not going to be a problem. I don't think it will be a problem."
Trump further emphasized his strong relationship with Erdogan, calling him "a tough guy" and "very smart." He also praised Turkey's role in Syria, claiming that Turkey, through its strategic maneuvers, had done what no one else had been able to do in centuries—asserting control over Syria by backing opposition forces against President Bashar al-Assad.
"I said, Congratulations, you've done what nobody's been able to do in 2,000 years. You've taken over Syria with different names, but the same thing. I said, you've taken it over. He's taken it over through surrogates," Trump remarked about his previous discussions with Netanyahu.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who had ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on December 8, 2023, after his regime collapsed, marking the end of the Baath Party's reign since 1963. In January 2025, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a leader of the anti-regime forces, was named president for a transitional period.
Turkey, a NATO member, has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians. Turkey has also applied to join a case against Israel at the World Court while halting all trade with the country. This escalating tension between the two regional powers has spilled over into Syria, with Israeli forces launching strikes against Syrian targets for weeks after a new administration took control in Damascus. Turkey has condemned these Israeli actions as an infringement on Syrian sovereignty, while Israel has stated that it will not tolerate the presence of hostile forces in the region.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
