Israel-Turkey quietly coordinate despite war of words over Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Israel on Friday of undermining Syria’s fragile transition following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, alleging that Jerusalem is exploiting internal divisions to sabotage the December 8 revolution and destabilize the region.

Speaking at a diplomatic forum in Antalya, Erdoğan claimed Israel is “trying to derail the December 8 revolution by inflaming ethnic and religious differences and provoking minorities against the new Syrian government.” He stressed that Turkey, which supports the new leadership in Damascus, would not allow Syria to slide into renewed chaos.

“The Syrian people have endured enough suffering, oppression, and war,” Erdoğan said, reiterating Turkey’s position as a guarantor of regional stability. He accused Israel of “directly threatening the region” through its recent strikes on targets in Lebanon and Syria, which he called acts of provocation.

The comments came just days after Turkish and Israeli officials held technical talks in Azerbaijan aimed at preventing an escalation in Syria. 

While relations between Ankara and Jerusalem have been strained in the past, both countries have maintained diplomatic ties and are engaging discreetly on areas of mutual concern, including Syria.

Despite Erdoğan's accusations, Israeli officials have shown no indication of seeking territorial or political dominance in Syria. 

However, there remains deep skepticism in Jerusalem regarding the new Islamist-led government in Damascus headed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Israel’s concerns center on the lack of clarity regarding the new leadership’s policy toward the Jewish state.

In the absence of a formal Syrian army after the collapse of Assad’s regime, Israel has bolstered its military presence in the buffer zone near the Golan Heights to guard against potential threats from non-state actors and irregular militias. 

Officials in Jerusalem have emphasized that these measures are purely defensive and temporary, pending clearer signals from Damascus.

"Once the Sharaa administration articulates a transparent and stable policy toward Israel, the situation will evolve accordingly," said a senior Israeli official on condition of anonymity.

Diplomatic Channels Still Open

Despite rising tensions and rhetorical clashes, a communication channel remains active between Israel and Turkey. This line of contact serves to manage sensitive issues, including developments in Syria, and reflects a broader effort by both governments to prevent their differences from escalating into open conflict.

The situation underscores the complexity of post-Assad Syria, where regional powers are recalibrating their strategies amid uncertainty about the country’s future direction.

While Erdoğan’s remarks highlight Ankara’s support for the revolution and its leadership, Israel’s cautious posture signals its wait-and-see approach as it weighs the implications of the shifting balance of power in its northern neighbor.