The recent Israeli strikes on Qatar have put Turkiye on high alert. Soon after Tel Aviv launched missiles targeting Hamas officials in Doha, Israeli academics and political figures used hawkish language towards Turkiye.
A senior Israeli political figure, Meri Masri, on social media X, hinted that Turkiye could be the next target. The post triggered an online furore.
According to the Al Jazeera outlet, a senior advisor to President Tayyip Erdogan, in a strong rebuttal to the post, threatened to wipe Israel off the map.
For months, Israeli media have been fanning anti-Turkiye rhetoric, describing Ankara as its “most dangerous enemy.”
Such strong sentiments have been linked to Turkiye’s backing of the Palestinian cause and the Hamas leadership.
Syria a battleground?
Tensions have also risen as the two countries have been competing for influence in neighbouring Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government last year.
After Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa took power, Israel launched strikes on its neighbour. Reports suggest that the Israeli attacks were a warning to the new Syrian government over its growing ties with Turkiye’s military.
The Israeli strikes came after media reports surfaced about Turkiye’s plans to develop an airbase and deploy its air defence systems in Syria.
The report is said to have prompted Israel’s political and military leadership to take action.
Greater Israel plan in motion
Experts claim that Turkiye has been anticipating Israeli attacks ever since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly boasted about his vision of creating a “Greater Israel”.
The “Greater Israel” concept is supported by ultra-nationalist Israelis. It is said to refer to an expansionist vision that lays claim to the occupied West Bank, Gaza, parts of Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Jordan.
Experts claimed that Ankara did not take Netanyahu’s claims lightly, as they clash with President Erdoğan’s own regional ambitions.
Hence, there is growing concern that Turkiye could be Israel’s next target.
