Israel and Kurdistan

Why the Kurds are suddenly in the spotlight during the war with Iran - explainer

As Iranian proxies target Iraq's Kurdistan, the US is reportedly courting Kurdish Iranian militias for a ground front. Groups remain split between seizing the moment and avoiding total war.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iranian Kurdish fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) take part in a training session at a base on the outskirts of Erbil, Iraq February 12, 2026.
Around 50 protesters gathered outside the US embassy to protest against what they described as Washington's inaction in the face of the latest massacre in Syria carried out by the Sharaa regime, on January 21, 2026.

Protesters outside US embassy demand US, Israeli action after Kurdish massacre

Several signs pointed to Israel’s close relationship with the Kurdish community. One read “Israel loves Kurdistan,” while others went further, openly calling for military action against the regime.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), speaks during the pan-Kurdish "Unity and Consensus" conference in Qamishli in northeastern Syria on April 26, 2025.

Why Israel’s security interests now depend on supporting the Kurds - opinion

The MEPS Forum showed growing Kurdish unity and a shifting Syrian landscape, underscoring why Israel should strengthen ties with Kurdish forces in Iraq and Syria as regional threats continue to rise.

|BySUZAN QUITAZ
TURKISH PRESIDENT Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the UN General Assembly last month. In an age when antisemitism and anti-Kurdish racism are used by states as political tools, solidarity and truth remain the final acts of resistance, the writer argues.

A common future for Kurds and Jews: A shared history and moral duty - opinion

In an age when antisemitism and anti-Kurdish racism are used by states as political tools, solidarity and truth remain the final acts of resistance.

|ByAMED MARDIN

Iran claims new details of arrests of 'Zionist' agents and Kurdish group

Iran appears to be using the claims of “Zionist” infiltration as a way to discredit Kurdish group Komala, an Iran-designated terrorist group.

JULY 27, 2022BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
AN IRANIAN punches his fist through an Israeli flag during a rally in Tehran in April marking Quds Day, or Jerusalem Day.

Iraqi speakers who called for peace with Israel face arrest

Some 300 Iraqi leaders convened to encourage normalization with Israel, prompting arrest warrants from an Iraqi court.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021ByTOVAH LAZAROFF
People stand next to a Kurdistan flag as they wait for Pope Francis to hold a mass at Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq, March 7, 2021.

Israeli actor from 'Fauda' interviewed by a Kurdish TV channel

Israeli actor Idan Amadi will soon star on TV screens across the Arab world thanks to a special interview he gave to a Kurdish channel about his role in the Israeli TV show "Fauda."

JUNE 8, 2020ByTOBIAS SIEGAL
A promotional image for Fauda.

Kurdistan must take responsibility for its own independence

Kurdistan must take responsibility for its own independence.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018ByDAVAN YAHYA KHALIL
A BOY rides a bicycle with the flag of Kurdistan in Tuz Khurmato, Iraq.

Kurdistan must take responsibility for its own independence

Kurdistan must take responsibility for its own independence.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018ByDAVAN YAHYA KHALIL
A BOY rides a bicycle with the flag of Kurdistan in Tuz Khurmato, Iraq.

MK pushes Israel to recognize Kurdistan as an independent state

Likud MK Yoav Kisch's motion comes in response to rising tensions between Israel and Turkey.

MAY 21, 2018ByLAHAV HARKOV
Israelis from Kurdish origin take part in a rally in support of the Kurdish referendum outside the American consulate in Jerusalem September 24, 2017

Debunking antisemitic conspiracy theories

News website in Turkey spreads concocted tales as other Muslim countries follow suit.

APRIL 10, 2018ByRACHEL AVRAHAM
placards from an anti-Israel rally (Illustrative).

Time for the West to follow Israel's example

Israel is the only real democracy in the Middle East, a country that defends Western Christian-Jewish culture, democracy, human dignity and humanism, but is criticized nevertheless.

MARCH 20, 2018ByMAKVAN KASHEIKAL
Kurds celebrate to show their support for the independence referendum in Duhok, Iraq, September 26, 2017.

Black Friday: The 1988 chemical bombardment of Halabja

MARCH 19, 2018ByFARHANG FARAYDOON NAMDAR
Iraqi Kurds wave flags of Iraqi Kurdistan during a demonstration

Israel should arm the Kurds

As a result, the Kurds lost the ability to sell Kirkuk oil.

NOVEMBER 27, 2017ByRACHEL AVRAHAM
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are seen yesterday in the Karez area west of Mosul, Iraq.