"He is not on our side": Israel's unusual move against Trump's confidant

In Israel, there is growing concern over what is perceived as an erosion of the United States' long-standing commitment to its security. The concern stems not only from President Donald Trump's loss of patience with the war in Iran and with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who allegedly dragged Washington into a confrontation after presenting Donald Trump with the possibility of a quick and easy victory. Another factor causing concern in Jerusalem is the line led by Tom Burke, the US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria, who plays a central role in security talks between Israel and Syria.

Burke condemned the Israeli strike in Abu al-Duhur, arguing that it could have sparked a direct military confrontation with Turkey as well as with Syria. "We are deeply concerned that Israel's confirmed airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur base constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not promote regional stability," Burke wrote on X on Wednesday.

Burke's condemnation was perceived in Israel as another expression of what officials see as his pro-Turkish views, a senior Israeli political source told our senior analyst, Ben Caspit, on the 'Al-Monitor' website, speaking on condition of anonymity. Last May, Burke called on Israel and Syria to reach a "non-aggression" agreement, but from Israel's perspective, such a move ignores the security threats that Damascus could still pose. Syria, Israel believes, does not fully control Syrian territory. It also suspects that it might turn a blind eye to the presence of jihadist groups near the border. A non-aggression agreement would therefore leave Israel vulnerable.

In a speech at a conference in Washington last December, Burke said that Turkey should be included in any international stabilization force for Gaza, again raising Israeli concerns about the disregard for its security considerations. Israel has consistently opposed Turkey being part of an international stabilization force for Gaza, as it views it as a hostile state and a supporter of Hamas.

"Since this issue is being handled by Burke, and not by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, we are very concerned," said the senior Israeli political source, reflecting the Israeli perception that Marco Rubio is Israel's strongest ally in the administration in Washington. "Unfortunately, Burke is closer to Turkish interests. We have decided to stop updating him with the intelligence we have, which clearly points to Turkey's intentions as well as Syria's actions. He is not on our side." The Israeli concerns are twofold. Israel knows that Burke enjoys Donald Trump's trust, and it knows that Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed support for Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Israel has been monitoring Burke's conduct for a long time. About a year ago, it was reported in "Maariv" that Jerusalem treats him with growing suspicion. Political sources described him then as someone who leads a line that is not sensitive enough to Israel's security needs, and sometimes even expresses himself in a way that evokes a sense of distance and even hostility.

"Tom Burke is closing deals for bribes, he is acting in Erdogan's interest"

Criticism of Burke is not only heard in Israel, but also among Kurdish figures. Kadar Piri, a Kurd born in Qamishli who heads the "Kurds Without Borders" organization and is close to the Kurdish leadership in Syria, previously warned in an interview with Eddie Cohen on the "Maariv" podcast about the conduct of Tom Burke, a close associate of President Donald Trump, who serves as US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria. According to Piri, Burke is closing "bilateral deals that serve interests and bribes, as well as the interests of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which are funding these moves."

According to him, Burke is the central figure leading the agreements, and is primarily working to promote the interests of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.