Turkey
If Israel is forced to prepare for a military confrontation with Ankara, it would require a fundamental rebuilding of the Israel Defense Forces, especially on the naval front, a process that could take years.
In a wide-ranging interview with New York radio host Sid Rosenberg, the prime minister spoke of his sorrow at the loss of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Israel’s strengthening position in the Middle East.
A month after the Israeli Cabinet approved the measure, the move comes at a delicate diplomatic moment as the region faces renewed turbulence.
“It started not with Israel, but obviously, no, let me not speculate,” the NATO secretary-general said.
The Israeli premier “raised the severity of the statements made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his people against the existence of the state of Israel, as well as the need for security zones along Israel’s borders,” read a statement from Netanyahu’s office.
“I think that everybody understands that,” said the premier.
A top Sephardic faith leader said the move hurts ties with Baku without punishing Turkey, urging Jerusalem not to advance recognition further.
As NATO leaders meet in Ankara, JNS spoke with former U.S. envoy James Jeffrey and JINSA’s Blaise Misztal about why U.S. and Israeli officials disagree about Turkey.
The U.S. president said he would lift sanctions on Turkey but was non-committal about a deal for the advanced fighter jets ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned arrests and censorship ahead of the meeting in Ankara.
The drill took place shortly before the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara.
