JERUSALEM (JTA) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel condemned Turkey’s invasion of Kurdish areas of northeastern Syria and offered humanitarian aid to the Syrian Kurds.
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Turkey launched its assault on Wednesday, leaving thousands of Kurdish civilians fleeing their homes.
“Israel strongly condemns the Turkish invasion of the Kurdish areas in Syria and warns against the ethnic cleansing of the Kurds by Turkey and its proxies,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday afternoon. “Israel is prepared to extend humanitarian assistance to the gallant Kurdish people.”
They were the Israeli leader’s first comments on the situation in northeastern Syria since President Donald Trump announced Monday that he would withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria, leaving the door open for the gap in territory to be filled by elements hostile to Israel. The Netanyahu statement did not mention the withdrawal.
The move came following a phone call between Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said Turkey would begin a military offensive in the area.
“Turkey will soon be moving forward with its long-planned operation into Northern Syria,” a statement issued Monday from the White House said. “The United States Armed Forces will not support or be involved in the operation, and United States forces, having defeated the ISIS territorial ‘Caliphate,’ will no longer be in the immediate area.”
Netanyahu has previously announced support for an independent state for the Kurds.
Also Thursday, Israeli politicians across the political spectrum also issued statements in support of the Kurds.
Trump is unreliable in his commitments – dropping the Kurds who did much of our work against ISIS! Turkey is certainly not a friend.
Behind the scenes Israel and the Kurds have worked closely together, against Arab Terrorists (the Kurds are NOT Arabs). Trump just threw our great allies under the bus, to be exposed to Turkish GENOCIDE. What a rasha he is.
Chill. President Trump saw this for what it is and we have no business in Syria this is an internal situation and we are not the worlds policeman. The Kurds would not come to our defense so why should we to them???
It will work out
I support trump but hate this move… probably his worst
Shucks look who is talking about invading . The Israelis have been invading n bombarding its neighbours since it was created. Is it now feelingl left all alone without its scapegoat USA who has been protecting it all these years.