Ehud Barak calls Netanyahu’s tensions with Turkey election propaganda

Ehud Barak, Israel’s former prime minister, has described Benjamin Netanyahu’s escalation of tensions with Turkey as a hasty move driven by political motives linked to the upcoming elections.

According to the Shahab news agency, Barak said the approach comes at a time when rising tensions have caused concern and fear among the public. He added that this situation “strongly smells of political intent.”

Barak also launched a sharp attack on Netanyahu, saying he had “completely lost his mind.” In his view, Netanyahu is no longer concerned with Israel’s security after “absolute defeat and political failure,” and is instead focused on manoeuvres to ensure his political survival.

Ehud Barak is one of Israel’s well-known political and military figures and has previously criticised Netanyahu’s performance on various occasions. Turkey and Israel have had periodic tensions in recent years over a number of regional and political issues.