Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, has said that Israel had received clear intelligence that Turkey was planning to significantly expand its military presence in Syria.
He called it crossing limits. Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, Leiter said, “We do not want to escalate tensions or war with either Turkey or Syria. But a line has been crossed.”
His comments came after the air strikes carried out by Israel in Syria. These attacks were criticized by both the Syrian and Turkish governments. “This was considered a clear violation of agreements on Turkey’s part,” Leiter said.
Those who needed to be given intelligence got that information. Those who should have known what was going to happen, were aware of it. We made it clear that this is a violation of our agreements and that is why Israel took action.”
According to Leiter, Israel’s attack on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria near Aleppo on Tuesday was carried out after the warnings given regarding the alleged Turkish move were not heeded.
Syrian officials said there were at least eight attacks on the airfield. Later satellite photos revealed damage to the runway.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday, “Israel has made the message clear: Don’t do this.” Leiter said Turkey’s alleged move was against the understanding reached between Israel and the administration of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during the administration of US President Joe Biden. Under this understanding the current situation in Syria was kept “stable”.
He said that these understandings were also confirmed during a meeting held in Paris in January 2026. The meeting was attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani, US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, Leiter, then National Security Council chief Gil Reich and Netanyahu’s military secretary Roman Goffman. Goffman is now the director of Mossad.
“This freeze means that just as the Turks do not advance, we do not advance and they do not force us to retreat,” Leiter said.
He said Israel is present in only 78 square miles of protected area in Syria, while Turkey has gradually expanded its occupation of 3,500 square miles in northern Syria over the past several years. This is equivalent to about five percent of Syria’s area.
Despite the tensions, Leiter said Israel believes Syria does not want conflict. “It is clear to us that the Syrians do not want a conflict with us,” he said.
Leiter said, “That’s why we are asking the Turks not to create conflict. There is more than one indication that Turkey’s planned action was imposed on the Syrian people.”
He also pointed to the difference in statements by Turkey and Syria after the attack. Leiter said that Syrian Foreign Minister Shaibani had acknowledged the arrival of a Turkish delegation to Syria a few days before the attack, while Turkiye denied this. “They should sort it out among themselves,” he said.
The Israeli ambassador said that Israel is ready to resume direct talks with Syria when conditions become favorable. “Talks can be resumed,” he said.
We want to continue the face-to-face talks we have had with the Syrian people.” Leiter was referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s repeated comments against Israel and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s statement that “Israel is a stain on humanity.”
“At a time when Turkey is hosting Hamas leaders and funding Hezbollah and Hamas, which are Iran’s branches against Israel, it is not appropriate for it to expand its influence in Lebanon and Syria,” Leiter said