Netanyahu denies Turkey’s claim of Israeli involvement in Kurdish vote

Netanyahu responded to conspiracy theories promoted by leaders in Turkey and other Muslim countries that Israel is somehow behind the Kurdish drive for self-determination.

Following a recent referendum on Kurdish independence in northern Iraq, for which Israeli officials voice support, leaders throughout the Middle East have launched accusations regarding the Jewish state’s involvement in Kurdish affairs.

Among the leaders who accused Israel of working behind the scenes to aid the Kurds are Turkish President Recep Erdogan and Hassan Nasrallah, head of the Islamic terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Nasrallah accused Israel of supporting Kurdish statehood, describing the independence referendum as “a U.S.-Israeli plot to carve up the region.” Erdogan on Saturday blamed Israeli secret service Mossad for Iraqi Kurdistan’s decision to become independent.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau responded to these charges, noting, “I understand why those who support Hamas and want to see the Mossad everywhere that is uncomfortable for them, but Israel had no part in the Kurdish referendum, apart from the deep, natural sympathy that the people of Israel have had for many years for the Kurdish people and their aspirations.”

Last month, during his historic trip to Latin America, Netanyahu stated that Israel “supports the legitimate efforts of the Kurdish people to attain a state of its own,” but rejects the PKK’s acts of terrorism committed in the name of Kurdish statehood.

In a direct jab at Turkey, which has been the target of the PKK’s attacks, the statement, issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, said that “Israel rejects the PKK and considers it a terrorist organization, as opposed to Turkey, which supports the terror organization Hamas.”

By: World Israel News Staff