Israel 'will be at war with Syria sooner or later', says Likud minister

What Happened

Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party stated in radio interviews on 22–23 May 2024 that Israel 'will be at war with Syria sooner or later'. He described Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government as a 'jihadist regime rooted in ISIS and al-Qaeda' that cannot coexist with Israel. Chikli also warned of a 'radical Sunni axis of evil' comprising Turkey, Pakistan, and Qatar, which he called more dangerous than Iran's axis, claiming Turkey has established a 'protectorate' in Syria and branding Qatar 'the PR arm of the jihadists'. He cited Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent statement that Israel's attacks threaten Turkey and must be stopped, and said he draws lessons from the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack: 'When the enemy says something, I listen.' His remarks follow similar statements from other Likud figures, including Ariel Kellner, Miki Zohar, and former prime minister Naftali Bennett, who called Turkey 'the new Iran'.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Chikli's rhetoric signals a potential shift in Israeli threat perception from Iran to a Sunni alliance led by Turkey, reflecting and escalating the public deterioration of Turkish–Israeli relations. Such statements could influence Israeli strategic planning, strengthen its alignment with Greece, Cyprus, and India, and risk military escalation along the Syria–Lebanon front if taken as policy intent.

Watch For

Monitor further statements from Israeli Likud ministers or the security cabinet, particularly any formal designation of Turkey as an enemy state. Watch for Turkish diplomatic or military responses, especially Erdogan's remarks or Turkish activity in Syria that could be interpreted as targeting Israeli interests. Also track any US or regional mediation efforts and whether Chikli's framing gains broader political or military traction.