Netanyahu Says Israel Will Not Tolerate Türkiye in Southern Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel does not want Türkiye extending its military presence farther south in Syria, and that the recent strike on a Syrian airbase was to send Türkiye that message clearly.

Netanyahu said Türkiye already controls an area in northern Syria but argued that its presence should not advance beyond its current position.

“I do not want to see Türkiye coming south,” Netanyahu said.

Israel’s Syria Line

Netanyahu said Israel had communicated its position to both Türkiye and the authorities in Syria.

According to Netanyahu, Israel specifically opposed Turkish military entrenchment at an airfield south of the zone where Turkish forces were already present.

He said warnings were delivered through the U.S., through other channels and directly to Syria.

“We will not tolerate Turkish military entrenchment at an airfield south of the area where Türkiye is currently located,” Netanyahu said.

Warning Followed by “Kinetic” Action

Netanyahu indicated that Israel resorted to military action after concluding that its message had not been understood.

“Apparently that message was not received, and we had to demonstrate it in what we call, in our jargon, kinetic ways,” he said.

Netanyahu said the Israeli approach was also shaped by fears of an armed movement emerging from Syrian territory toward Israel, which he described as the possibility of a “jihadist invasion.”

Türkiye and Israel’s Regional Posture

Netanyahu framed the issue within a wider argument that regional power balances were shifting quickly.

He said one power could decline while another rose, but argued that Israel’s own power had to increase above all.

Netanyahu said he was not seeking confrontation, while maintaining that Israel could not base its security policy on the intentions of potential adversaries.

He argued that military capability had to remain stronger than that of Israel’s opponents because intentions could change.

Gaza and Palestinian Statehood

In the same interview, Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to Palestinian statehood and said he could not include in his government politicians who supported such an outcome.

He also said Israel would not leave the Gaza Strip and that reconstruction would not begin until Hamas had been dismantled and Gaza demilitarized.

Netanyahu said Israel intended to retain freedom of military action in the territory.

Iran and Defense Spending

Netanyahu again portrayed a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat to Israel and said outside approval would not determine whether Israel acted against such a danger.

He also said Israel should become a major producer of ammunition and weapons, citing India and Germany as customers.

Netanyahu said an additional 400 billion had been allocated to the defense budget over the coming decade and said large defense industries would be moved underground.

AI and Immigration

Netanyahu also set out ambitions for Israel to become what he called the world’s third AI superpower, behind the U.S. and China but competing with other countries.

He separately encouraged Jewish immigration to Israel, saying further waves could follow amid antisemitism abroad.