How Israel's support is swaying Kurdish sentiment ahead of referendum
Turkey’s Kurds may have divergent views on Israeli backing for the referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, but their support for the independence bid remains robust.
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey — Seated in the shade of Diyarbakir’s ancient city walls, a group of elderly Kurds animatedly discuss the independence referendum that affects their kin in neighboring Iraq. The mood of the conversation seems to sour when the topic moves to Israel, the sole country to have openly endorsed the Kurdish bid for statehood. The men, whose demeanor reveals they are pious Muslims, are clearly unhappy with Israel’s support, a sentiment that is widespread in conservative Kurdish quarters.
“No good will come from anything if Israel has a finger in the pie. If [Kurdish statehood] is going to happen with Israel’s support, then best it doesn’t happen at all,” 65-year-old Mustafa Sayar told Al-Monitor, as the others in the group approved.
Their view, however, can hardly be described as an overwhelmingly popular one among Kurds. Civic society activist Mithat Akcan, for instance, is among the Kurds who welcome the Israeli backing. “While scores of Muslim countries around Kurdistan, small and big, oppose the referendum and are thinking of myriad sanctions and even war, Israel’s support is positive and on the mark,” he told Al-Monitor.
In Turkey’s nationalist and conservative quarters, Kurdish gains are routinely viewed with suspicion, perceived as American or Israeli “ploys” or conspiracies to divide Turkey or sow foment in the Muslim world. The same themes are abuzz again in the nationalist, conservative and pro-government media, with the news outlets underscoring Israel’s support for Iraqi Kurdistan.
