11.08.2026 16:20
Türkiye's consecutive diplomatic and military steps in the Middle East have caused alarm bells to ring in Tel Aviv. Ankara's rise to a dominant actor position by filling the vacuum in the Syrian field and the historic Mecca Agreement signed in the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia triangle were met with great unease on the Israeli front. Former Head of the Israeli National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat argued that Ankara's strategic moves have increased the potential for conflict between the two countries.
Meir Ben-Shabbat, former head of Israel's National Security Council, argued that Turkey's growing influence in the region increases the risk of conflict between the two countries.
Speaking to Israel's "Maariv" newspaper, Ben-Shabbat warned the Tel Aviv administration against "complacency" in the face of Turkey's rising regional power.
Saying that Turkey is taking advantage of regional changes to become the leading power in the Middle East, Ben-Shabbat argued that Ankara's rise in the region increases the potential for conflict between the two countries.
"TURKEY HAS BECOME THE MAIN ACTOR IN SYRIA"
Emphasizing that "Turkey has become the main actor in Syria" following the collapse of the Baath regime and the "forced" withdrawal of Iran's military presence from the region, Ben-Shabbat continued his remarks as follows:
"Ankara is further consolidating its position in the region by financing and training the new Syrian army, building energy and transportation infrastructure, and through many more moves."
Regarding the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed on August 7 between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, Ben-Shabbat said, "This alliance aims to provide mutual defense and regional stability without being completely dependent on Washington. It positions Turkey in a diplomatic-military leadership role."
Arguing that Turkey's goals in the Eastern Mediterranean under the Blue Homeland doctrine conflict with Israel's alliance with Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), and other agreements, Ben-Shabbat stated, "This situation lays the groundwork for a permanent maritime jurisdiction and sovereignty dispute."
ISRAEL SHOULD NOT CONFLATE TURKEY AND IRAN
Noting that the Tel Aviv administration should not conflate Turkey with Iran, Ben-Shabbat stated, "Each country has its own unique characteristics and should be approached differently."
Stating that it would not hurt for Israel to be somewhat skeptical and cautious towards regional agreements, Ben-Shabbat noted:
"We must not leave our security in the hands of any other party. We must preserve our security margins, not exchange concrete gains for one piece of paper or another, and understand that an agreement can be revoked at any moment."