Key facts
- Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli stated that Israel will eventually go to war with Syria.
Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli stated that Israel will eventually go to war with Syria and described Pakistan, Turkey, and Qatar as a dangerous 'radical Sunni axis of evil.' Chikli expressed greater concern over this emerging alliance than Iran's dealings with the US.

The remarks by an Israeli minister highlight escalating regional tensions and potential future conflicts in the Middle East, particularly concerning Syria, Turkey, and their perceived alliances, which could destabilize the region further.
Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli has stated that Israel "will be at war with Syria sooner or later," expressing significant concern over what he described as a "radical Sunni axis of evil" emerging in the Middle East, composed of Pakistan, Turkey, and Qatar. Chikli articulated these views in radio interviews, suggesting this new alliance is more troubling than Iran's recent ceasefire deal with the United States.
Chikli indicated that Pakistan and Turkey's involvement in negotiations between the US and Iran contributed to his perception of this emerging axis. He further characterized Qatar as the "PR arm of the jihadists." The minister also focused on Turkey, branding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's vision as "extremely dangerous" and suggesting Turkey had established a "Turkish protectorate" in Syria, deeming Turkey and Syria "ten thousand times more concerning than Iran."
These statements follow a period of heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel. Turkish leaders, including President Erdogan and Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci, have recently made strong remarks against Israel's actions in Syria and Lebanon, with Ciftci speaking of the "liberation" of Jerusalem. Chikli's comments echo sentiments from other Israeli politicians, such as Likud lawmaker Ariel Kellner and Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, who have also referred to Turkey as an "enemy state."