ALBAWABA- Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli has warned that Israel should prepare for the possibility of a direct military confrontation with Turkey, including a potential naval clash in the Eastern Mediterranean, amid growing tensions between the two countries.
Israel tells US Pentagon it’s keeping its forces inside ‘security zones’ in Gaza, Lebanon, and SyriaChikli, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, said Israel must strengthen its military preparedness and regional alliances, arguing that Turkey’s expanding naval capabilities and regional ambitions represent a growing strategic challenge.
“We must prepare and equip ourselves for war with Turkey. A direct clash may occur between the Turkish and Israeli armies at sea,” Chikli said, describing the scenario as realistic rather than hypothetical. He noted that Turkey’s navy is significantly larger than Israel’s and operates in close proximity to Israeli maritime areas.
The Israeli minister identified Turkey, along with Turkish influence in Syria, as a more pressing concern than Iran in some strategic respects, citing Ankara’s regional ambitions, military presence in northern Syria, and increasingly critical rhetoric toward Israel. He called for stronger cooperation with countries such as Greece, Cyprus, and Italy to counter what he described as Turkish expansionism.
Chikli’s comments reflect growing Israeli concerns over potential flashpoints in the Eastern Mediterranean, including maritime boundaries, energy resources, Cyprus, and developments in Syria, where Turkey has expanded its influence following the collapse of the Assad government.
Relations between Israel and Turkey have deteriorated sharply amid the wider regional conflicts involving Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Israeli officials have accused Ankara of supporting Hamas and challenging Israel’s regional security interests, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeatedly condemned Israeli military operations, accusing Israel of threatening regional stability and Palestinian rights.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has also intensified criticism of Israel, describing its policies as a threat beyond the Middle East and calling for international pressure against Israeli actions.
US President Donald Trump has sought to prevent further deterioration between the two allies, saying his relationship with Turkish President Erdoğan could help avoid a direct confrontation between Ankara and Tel Aviv. Trump has described Erdoğan as a strong leader and indicated that he would work to manage disputes between Turkey and Israel while maintaining US relations with both countries.
