The Israeli government has leveled sharp accusations against Thomas Barack, the United States Ambassador to Ankara and the US Special Envoy to Syria, claiming that he is defending Turkish interests at the expense of Israeli interests.
The Israeli website "Walla" quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Tel Aviv is very concerned about Barack's recent statements, which Israel considers biased towards Turkey.
The Israeli official stated that "Barack is acting as if he were an ambassador for Turkey, and this is negatively affecting developments in the Middle East," reflecting deep dissatisfaction in Israeli circles with the US envoy's positions.
The official added that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu views Barack as "an element acting hostile towards Israel," noting that he is "excessively influenced by Turkish interests in Syria and acts as an ambassador serving Ankara's interests," which is causing great concern to the Israeli government.
The report pointed to previous statements made by Barack in Doha, where he said: "Israel may claim to be a democratic country, but what actually works better in this region is a benevolent monarchy," which has increased the intensity of Israeli criticism towards him.
The report stated that Israel is working to strengthen its relations with figures it considers supportive within the circle surrounding US President Donald Trump, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the United States Representative to the United Nations, Mike Walls, in an attempt to balance what it considers bias on the part of Barack.
Barack is acting as if he were Turkey's ambassador, and is negatively affecting what is happening in the Middle East.
Share your opinion
Israel accuses US envoy of bias towards Turkey and undermining its interests