Israel ‘Not Looking for Conflict’: Netanyahu, Trump to Talk Turkey During Monday Visit to the White House

Latest Developments

• White House Invite: President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 7, marking the first visit by a foreign leader to the White House since the administration unveiled its global tariff policy. Netanyahu’s office stated that the leaders would discuss the Gaza hostage crisis, Iran, the International Criminal Court, and “Israel-Turkey relations.”
• Syria Simmers: Jerusalem officials said the discussion on Turkey would focus specifically on Ankara’s interventions on behalf of Syria’s new government, led by transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa — a former al-Qaeda commander. Israel is reportedly wary of stumbling into potential confrontations with Ankara, a NATO power — albeit an unfriendly one — in Syria. “We are not looking for conflict with Turkey,” said one Israeli official. “At the same time, we don’t want Turkey establishing itself on our borders.” According to some Israeli media reports, Netanyahu will seek Trump’s help in defining respective “zones of influence” in Syria.
• Between the Lines: Israel has continued to enforce the demilitarization of southern Syria against all potential foes, including Turkey. On April 3, Israeli warplanes targeted the T4 airfield, a former Assad-era base, which was reportedly set to become a Turkish drone base in the near future. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a warning to al-Sharaa, saying, “If you allow forces hostile to Israel to enter Syria and endanger Israeli security interests, you will pay a heavy price.”

FDD Expert Response

“Israel has kept a remarkably low profile on Turkey, even as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pushes deep into Syrian territory — on a scale that makes Netanyahu’s buffer zone look modest. While others sound alarms, Jerusalem has kept its rhetoric in check. That’s no small feat. President Trump, for his part, understands Erdogan’s brand of strongman politics and the gap between bluster and action. His skepticism of NATO may even work to his advantage, blunting Ankara’s usual leverage as a treaty ally.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO 

“Washington can’t look away much longer. What exactly is Turkey’s role in Syria? Is it an occupation? A long-term ‘tutelage’ — that old euphemism once used to describe Syria’s grip on Lebanon? Or is it something closer to de facto annexation, as in Northern Cyprus? It’s time for U.S. policymakers to call things by their name, especially as regional alignments harden.” — Sinan Ciddi, Non-Resident Senior Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

“Turkey Increasing Military Assistance to Syria,” by Ahmad Sharawi

“‘Destroy and Devastate Zionist Israel’: Turkish President Prays for Jewish State’s Destruction Amid Mass Protests,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas and Turkey: Partners in Terror,” by Jonathan Schanzer, Sinan Ciddi, Melissa Sacks, and Michael Rubin

“A bad week for the Muslim Brotherhood,” by Ben Cohen