Key facts
- Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli stated Turkey and Syria are more concerning than Iran.
- Chikli claimed a new 'Muslim Brotherhood axis' is forming, comprising Turkey, Syria, and Qatar.
- He asserted that the 'Shiite empire of Iran, Assad's Syria and Hezbollah' is over.
- Chikli previously warned of war with Syria and a 'radical Sunni axis of evil' involving Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan.
- The minister's comments coincide with rising tensions between Turkey and Israel.
Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli has stated that Turkey and Syria are now a greater concern for Israel than Iran, alleging the formation of a new 'Muslim Brotherhood axis' that includes Qatar.
Speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit in Jerusalem, Chikli declared, "Turkiye of Erdogan and Syria of al-Sharaa are now far more concerning than Iran." He further asserted that "the era of Shiite empire of Iran, Assad's Syria and Hezbollah is over." According to Chikli, the emerging bloc is "the Muslim Brotherhood axis of Erdogan's Turkiye, Syria and Qatar."
Chikli has previously voiced concerns about Syria, warning of potential war and referring to a "radical Sunni axis of evil" that he identified as Turkey, Qatar, and Pakistan. He expressed that a "jihadist regime rooted in Isis and al-Qaeda" cannot coexist peacefully with Israel, referencing the Syrian government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, which has roots in a former al-Qaeda affiliate.
These remarks come at a time of increasing friction between Turkey and Israel. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently indicated that Israeli actions in Syria and Lebanon pose a threat to Turkey. Earlier in June, Likud politician Ariel Kellner described Turkey as an "enemy state," with Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar suggesting Israel should treat Turkey as such. In February, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also characterized Turkey as "the new Iran."
An analysis published by the Israeli newspaper Maariv suggested that Turkey presents a more significant long-term challenge to Israel than Iran, citing Ankara's advancements in military capabilities and its defense industry. The analysis indicates that Israeli policymakers are increasingly focusing on Turkey's growing influence and capabilities, in addition to traditional regional security concerns.