Sherzad MamSani
The relationship between Israel and the Kurds has been a subject of regional and global interest for decades. This partnership, often informal and under the radar, stems from shared strategic interests, mutual geopolitical challenges, and cultural sympathy. In recent years, renewed discussions and developments have brought this alliance back into focus. This article explores the historical context, recent advancements, and the future prospects of this unique relationship.
Historical Context
The roots of Israeli-Kurdish relations date back to the 1960s, during Israel’s implementation of the “Periphery Doctrine,” a strategy aimed at forming alliances with non-Arab minorities and peripheral states to counterbalance hostile Arab neighbors. The Kurds, as a stateless minority facing repression in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria, became a natural partner.
Israel’s support for the Kurds during the 1970s included military training, financial aid, and intelligence-sharing, primarily against shared adversaries like Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq.
While overt interactions diminished after the 1975 Algiers Accord (which temporarily neutralized Kurdish resistance in Iraq), the covert ties persisted, especially during moments of regional upheaval, such as the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the rise of ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
Recent Developments and Renewed Interest
- Israel’s Foreign Policy Shift
In late 2024, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar highlighted the importance of alliances with minorities, including the Kurds and Druze, as part of Israel’s broader strategy to counterbalance adversarial forces like Iran and Turkey. He termed these minorities as “natural allies” and emphasized Israel’s moral and strategic obligation to support them.
This shift comes as regional dynamics evolve, with the weakening of Iran’s network of proxies and Turkey’s growing regional assertiveness creating opportunities for Israel to deepen ties with the Kurds.
- Kurdish Aspirations for Independence
The Kurdish quest for autonomy or statehood remains a key factor in the alliance. Following the 2017 Kurdish independence referendum in Iraq, which Israel openly supported, tensions with Baghdad, Ankara, and Tehran escalated. Israel’s support for the Kurds, particularly in Iraqi Kurdistan, underscores its commitment to encouraging self-determination for groups it considers marginalized and oppressed.
- Geopolitical Pragmatism in Syria
In northeastern Syria, the Kurds have established a semi-autonomous region under the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed coalition. Reports indicate that Israel is exploring non-military forms of support for Syrian Kurds, potentially as a counterweight to Iranian influence and Turkey’s military incursions.
Strategic Implications
- Shared Adversaries
Both Israel and the Kurds face significant threats from regional powers like Iran and Turkey. For Israel, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional proxies pose existential threats, while the Kurds contend with Turkey’s military campaigns and Iran’s suppression of Kurdish dissent.
- Energy Cooperation
Iraqi Kurdistan, with its rich oil reserves, has attracted Israeli interest. Reports suggest that Israel has imported Kurdish oil through covert channels, bypassing traditional routes controlled by adversaries. This energy partnership strengthens economic ties and provides Israel with an alternative to reliance on other sources.
- Regional Realignment
The weakening of ISIS and the evolving U.S. role in the Middle East have created a power vacuum that Israel and the Kurds aim to exploit. Both parties view each other as vital partners in stabilizing areas of mutual interest, particularly in Syria and Iraq.
Challenges and Limitations
- Opposition from Regional Powers
The Israeli-Kurdish partnership faces staunch opposition from Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, all of whom view Kurdish autonomy as a threat to their territorial integrity. This opposition complicates Israel’s ability to openly support the Kurds without triggering broader regional tensions.
- U.S. Ambiguity
While the U.S. has been a primary backer of Kurdish forces in Syria and Iraq, its policies are often inconsistent, leaving both Israel and the Kurds uncertain about long-term American support.
- Internal Kurdish Divisions
The Kurdish movement is fragmented along political, geographic, and ideological lines, with factions often prioritizing localized interests over broader unity. This division poses a challenge for Israel in forming a cohesive and effective alliance.
Future Prospects
Despite these challenges, the Israeli-Kurdish alliance is likely to deepen in the coming years, driven by mutual interests and shared threats. Some potential developments include:
- Increased Diplomatic Engagement: Israel could advocate for greater international recognition of Kurdish autonomy, particularly in Iraq and Syria.
- Expanded Security Cooperation: Intelligence-sharing and non-military aid to Kurdish forces could grow as both sides counter shared adversaries.
- Energy Partnerships: Strengthening economic ties through energy deals may serve as a foundation for broader cooperation.
The Israeli-Kurdish alliance, while rooted in historical ties, is being redefined in the face of contemporary regional dynamics. As both parties navigate a volatile Middle East, their partnership exemplifies the strategic value of aligning with marginalized groups to achieve broader geopolitical objectives. Whether this relationship can overcome its inherent challenges remains to be seen, but its importance in shaping the region’s future is undeniable.
Several factors and forces prevent the full establishment of a formal Kurdish-Israeli alliance, despite their shared interests. These obstacles arise from regional geopolitics, global pressures, and internal dynamics. Below are the key impediments:
- Regional Opposition
- Hostility from Neighboring States
- Turkey: Turkey perceives Kurdish autonomy, particularly in Syria and Iraq, as a direct threat to its territorial integrity due to its large Kurdish population. Turkey’s strong opposition to both Kurdish aspirations and Israeli support creates significant barriers.
- Iran: Iran strongly opposes Kurdish independence movements and Israel’s regional presence. Any Israeli support for the Kurds is seen by Tehran as a threat to its regional hegemony.
- Iraq and Syria: Both states oppose Kurdish independence to preserve territorial integrity. Iraqi Kurdistan’s 2017 referendum on independence faced significant backlash from Baghdad, and Israel’s open support for the vote isolated the Kurds further.
- Regional Power Dynamics
Neighboring states collaborate to suppress Kurdish aspirations. For example, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq have historically coordinated military and political efforts to prevent Kurdish movements from gaining momentum.
- U.S. Ambiguity and Global Pressure
- U.S. Policy Inconsistency
The U.S., a critical player in the region, often shifts its stance on Kurdish issues. While supporting Kurdish forces against ISIS, Washington has avoided endorsing Kurdish independence to maintain alliances with Turkey, a NATO member. Israel’s support for the Kurds could complicate its relationship with the U.S. if it clashes with American priorities.
- International Isolation of the Kurds
Global powers often prioritize relations with nation-states over stateless groups like the Kurds. Supporting Kurdish autonomy risks destabilizing key partners (Turkey, Iraq, Iran) and is viewed by many countries as a destabilizing move.
- Internal Kurdish Divisions
- Fragmentation of Kurdish Movements
The Kurds are divided into factions along political, geographic, and ideological lines:
- The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) dominate Iraqi Kurdistan but are often in conflict.
- The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Turkey and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria have different objectives and strategies.
- Such divisions make it difficult for Israel to establish a unified alliance with the Kurds.
- Lack of a Unified Kurdish State
Without a unified or recognized Kurdish state, Israel’s potential partnership with the Kurds lacks formal diplomatic channels and international legitimacy.
- Risks of Isolation and Retaliation
- Arab and Islamic World Opposition
Israel’s overt support for Kurdish independence could alienate Arab and Muslim-majority states. Many Arab states view Kurdish independence as a precursor to further regional fragmentation, which they strongly oppose.
Israel’s efforts to normalize relations with Arab states through the Abraham Accords could be undermined by openly supporting Kurdish movements.
- Retaliation Against the Kurds
Direct Israeli support for the Kurds could provoke military or economic retaliation from neighboring states, exacerbating the already precarious situation of Kurdish populations in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
- Economic and Strategic Limitations
- Resource Dependency
The Kurds rely heavily on neighboring states for economic survival, including oil exports through Turkey and trade routes through Iraq and Iran. A visible alliance with Israel could trigger blockades or sanctions, further weakening the Kurds.
- Israel’s Strategic Restraint
While Israel sees value in supporting the Kurds, it must weigh the benefits against potential risks. Overextending its support could invite regional hostility or entangle Israel in conflicts that detract from its primary security concerns.
- Historical Precedents and Fear of Betrayal
The Kurds have faced betrayal by international actors throughout history. For instance:
- The U.S. abandoned Kurdish allies in northern Syria in 2019, allowing Turkey to launch military operations.
- The 1975 Algiers Accord, supported by the U.S., forced Iran to withdraw support for Kurdish movements in Iraq.
This history makes the Kurds cautious about relying on external alliances, including with Israel, fearing abandonment in critical moments.
- Geopolitical Complexity
- Overlapping Conflicts
The Middle East’s complex web of conflicts often sidelines Kurdish-Israeli cooperation. Regional crises, such as the Syrian Civil War or tensions between Israel and Iran, overshadow Kurdish aspirations.
- Fear of Regional Destabilization
Any overt Israeli support for Kurdish independence risks escalating conflicts in already fragile regions like Iraq and Syria. This potential destabilization discourages formal alliances.
The establishment of a Kurdish-Israeli alliance faces significant hurdles due to regional opposition, global pressures, Kurdish fragmentation, and fears of retaliation. While both parties share mutual interests, their partnership remains largely informal and limited to covert support. For this alliance to advance meaningfully, significant geopolitical shifts and stronger Kurdish unity would be required.
Sources for the First Article (The Evolving Israeli-Kurdish Alliance)
- Israel’s Foreign Minister Calls for Ties with Kurds and Other Minorities
Source: Middle East Eye
Link: Middle East Eye article
- As Iran’s Network of Proxies Withers, Israel Has an Opening to Revive Its Own
Source: Times of Israel
Link: Times of Israel article
- Should Israel Support Independence for Syria’s Kurds?
Source: Jerusalem Post
Link: Jerusalem Post article
- Israel Must Not Abandon the Kurds in Their War of Survival
Source: Haaretz
Link: Haaretz article
- Israel, Kurdistan, and the Prospects for an Asymmetrical Alliance
Source: Australian Institute of International Affairs
Link: AIIA article
- Israel’s Kurdish Opportunity
Source: Middle East Forum
Link: Middle East Forum article
- The ‘Periphery Doctrine’: Is Israel Returning to the ‘Minorities Alliance’?
Source: Palestine Chronicle
Link: Palestine Chronicle article
Sources for the Second Article (Factors Preventing a Kurdish-Israeli Alliance)
- The Kurdish Quest for Independence and Regional Responses
Source: Al Jazeera
Link: Al Jazeera article
- Israel, the Kurds, and Geopolitical Barriers
Source: Foreign Policy
Link: Foreign Policy article
- Kurdish Independence Referendum and Its Fallout
Source: BBC News
Link: BBC article
- Why Turkey and Iran Fear Kurdish Independence
Source: Reuters
Link: Reuters article
- U.S. Withdrawal from Northern Syria and Kurdish Consequences
Source: The Guardian
Link: Guardian article
- Economic Challenges Facing Kurdish Movements
Source: Financial Times
Link: Financial Times article
- Kurdish Divisions and Their Impact on Regional Alliances
Source: Carnegie Middle East Center
Link: Carnegie article
- The Abraham Accords and Israel’s Regional Relationships
Source: Brookings Institution
Link: Brookings article
How the Sources Inform the Articles
These sources offer insights into:
- Historical context: Articles from the Palestine Chronicle and Middle East Eye.
- Regional dynamics: Coverage by Al Jazeera, Foreign Policy, and Reuters.
- Geopolitical alliances: Analysis from the Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post, and Haaretz.
- Economic and political factors: Reports from the Financial Times and Carnegie Middle East Center.
- International influences: Articles by Brookings Institution and The Guardian.