Israeli Analyst Warns of Rising Turkish Influence and Anti-Jewish Hostility in Syria
Dr. Eddy Cohen, a Middle East affairs analyst for Channel 14 News, warned on Israel's Channel 14 morning program about the growing Turkish influence in Syria and the increasing hostile rhetoric against Israel and Jews emanating from the country. During the interview, Cohen presented footage of armed militants in Syria shouting threats such as "Jew, I am coming for you," emphasizing that such videos are frequent and not isolated incidents. He compared the current situation in Syria to the early days of Hamas's rise in Gaza, highlighting a shift toward more overt anti-Israel and anti-Jewish sentiment.
Cohen described the Middle East as dominated by two powers: Israel and Turkey, noting that Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is actively working against Israeli interests and engaging in regional conflicts, including with Greece and Cyprus. He pointed out Ankara's support for Hamas and its promotion of Islamist ideology, which he linked to rising antisemitism. Cohen also criticized the U.S. administration under Donald Trump for bolstering Erdogan's position, which strengthens Turkey's regional influence.
Regarding Syria, Cohen expressed skepticism about the intentions of Syrian opposition leader Ahmad al-Shar'a (Abu Muhammad al-Julani), suggesting his public statements about peace are misleading. He warned that Syria is becoming increasingly dominated by extremist groups like ISIS, with growing hostility toward Israel and Jews, marking a significant change from the Assad regime's previous stance.
Cohen called for intensified Israeli diplomatic efforts in Washington to counterbalance Turkey's rising power and to address the security challenges posed by developments in Syria. He stressed that Israel faces a complex challenge on its northern front, requiring both diplomatic and security responses to the evolving threats.
Summary: Israeli analyst Dr. Eddy Cohen warns of Turkey's expanding influence in Syria and rising anti-Jewish hostility there, presenting militant footage and urging Israel to strengthen diplomatic efforts with the U.S. to counter these threats.
