War with Turkey? Defense Minister Israel Katz discusses Turkish threat in special meeting

Defense Minister Israel Katz convened a special security meeting today (Wednesday) on Turkey which included Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and other senior officials, according to Kann reporter Amichai Stein.

The purpose of the meeting was to assess the question of how the relationship between the new Syrian leadership and the Turkish government affects Israel, especially in terms of its security.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to conduct discussions on the matter in the coming days as well. The Nagel Committee he appointed earlier in the year to examine the lessons of October 7 and the war for Israel's defense policy and military buildup, while arguing that Iran remains the primary enemy, said that Israel should prepare for a possible war with Turkey and Syria.

Turkey has been increasingly hostile and threatening towards Israel ever since October 7, if not before. Among the steps it has taken against Israel are the joining of the South Africa "genocide" suit against Israel in the Hague and a complete trade embargo against Israel.

Turkish President Erdogan has also ramped up his rhetoric against the country, even obliquely suggesting that Turkey might directly clash with Israel to help Hamas in Gaza at some point, and counseling "patience" in this regard.

Turkey's vital backing for the rebels which overthrew Bashar Assad's government and their open hostility towards the Kurds of southeastern Syria, traditional allies of Israel going back decades, has also made Israel nervous and worried about Ankara's next moves.

The United States has also sought to prevent Turkey from attacking the Kurdish enclave in Syria, although the equivocal stance of President-elect Donald Trump towards the Kurds and involvement in Syria may weaken the Kurds' hand. During his first term, Trump's alleged abandonment of the Kurds led then-Defense Minister James Mattis to resign.