22.08.2026 22:10
Following US Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack's veiled reference to Turkey-Israel tensions, saying "The Turkish army is strong, brave, very well-equipped, and knows what it is doing," the Netanyahu administration stepped back. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said, "We have no intention of escalating tensions with Turkey. We prefer a diplomatic solution with Turkey. We do not want the tension to escalate."
Following a statement by the US Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack, regarding the Turkey-Israel tension, saying "The Turkish army is strong, brave, very well-equipped, and knows what it is doing," the Tel Aviv administration has stepped back. After Ambassador Barrack's message highlighting Turkey's military capacity, the Israeli side emphasized dialogue.
"WE PREFER A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION WITH TURKEY"
Speaking on the matter, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said, "We have no intention of escalating tensions with Turkey. We prefer a diplomatic solution with Turkey. We do not want the tension to escalate."
US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Syria and US Ambassador to Ankara, Tom Barrack, made statements regarding the agenda during a live broadcast on YouTube.
"NETANYAHU KNOWS WHAT HIS ELECTORATE WANTS"
Noting that Turkey-Israel relations followed a good course in the early 2000s, Barrack said, "Coming to the present day, my belief and hope is that this will happen again." Touching upon the increasing Israel-Turkey tension in recent days, Barrack assessed, "Aren't the things you hear in the rhetoric of the top leaders of these countries the things everyone has to do during the political campaign process? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is moving towards the elections to be held in October. He knows what his electorate wants."
"WE ARE IN COORDINATION WITH TURKEY, ISRAEL, AND SYRIA"
Stressing that Israel, Turkey, and Syria have common interests despite the tensions, Barrack said, "There is a Rubik's cube within a Rubik's cube situation. Even Syria alone is dealing with the Kurds, the SDF, and ISIS. You know, meanwhile, we are in coordination every evening with Turkey, Israel, and Syria to hunt ISIS terrorists. Because as long as the power vacuum continues, ISIS is making a great effort to rebuild itself."
"THE TURKS ACTED WISELY"
Noting that the two regions, located 85 kilometers from the Israeli border and named T4 and Palmyra, pose a particular security concern for Israel, Barrack said, "Israel was telling Turkey, 'Please do not re-establish yourselves in these two bases either. It's very close. We are not sure about the Syrian government. We are not sure about your alignment with the Syrian government either. So, please do not re-establish there, otherwise, we will strike them.' This issue went back and forth for a while, but the Turks acted wisely and said they did not want to fight with Israel, and that has been the Turks' constant message."
"THE TURKISH ARMY IS STRONG, BRAVE, VERY WELL-EQUIPPED"
Regarding concerns about the possibility of a regional conflict, Barrack said, "The Turkish army is strong, brave, very well-equipped, and knows what it is doing. Could this turn into something like World War II? Our view is that, just as you would see in World War II, an unintentional action could lead to a new world war at any moment, and I think that is what we are all trying to prevent." Barrack also stated that he believes goals like a "Greater Israel" are not realistic.
"I KNOW THE TURKS ARE FOCUSED ON RESTRAINT"
Barrack avoided giving a clear answer to the question of why Israel targeted a region near the Turkish border, reiterating that there are different theories on this matter. Pointing out that Israel might be trying to provoke Turkey, Barrack said, "One theory is that the Israelis are provoking the Turks. Remember, the Turks shot down a Russian war plane under similar conditions, didn't they? Deploying warplanes at the border without notification, without an agreement, is a very dangerous game. That was the serious and concerning part. Because I know that the Turkish intelligence agencies, their top administration, their foreign ministers, their presidents, their intelligence chief, all of them are focused on restraint. Truly, they are. It's a fact. They are not aggressive. They are not interested in attacking Israel or engaging in any kinetic or hostile relationship. It's not good for the region. It's not good for themselves either." Barrack added, "So, one theory is that they are just provoking the Turks. It's considered an aggressive, but perhaps good concept before the elections."