From the Liveblog of
Monday, April 7, 2025
Trump says he can mediate between Israel and Turkey, has a great relationship with Erdogan
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
US President Donald Trump says he can mediate between Israel and Turkey, who appear poised to clash over influence in Syria.
Trump says he has a great relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he likes very much and calls “very smart.”
Trump says he congratulated Erdogan on doing “what nobody has done in 2,000 years, taking over Syria” referring to the successful overthrow of the Assad regime by Islamic rebels, whom Trump called a Turkish proxy.
Trump tells Netanyahu, who has a bitter relationship with Erdogan, that he can mediate.
“Any problem that you have with Turkey, I think we can solve, as long as you are reasonable, you have to be reasonable,” he tells Netanyahu.
Israel has carried out a campaign to destroy Syrian military capabilities so that they cannot threaten Israel, and fears that if Turkey establishes a military presence in Syria it could hamper the Israeli Air Force’s freedom of action in the region.
The Times of Israel Community.