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

Preventing an ISIS resurgence

US coalition shifts Iraq operations as last terrorists cleared out

NOVEMBER 20, 2017BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iraqi army members participate in a live ammunition training exercise with coalition forces trainers at Taji base in August 2017

Analysis: How Kurdistan’s Independence Can Spark the Middle East

Despite longstanding ties between the Kurds and Israel, support for Kurdistan independence is more than likely a geo-political one, with Israel looking to get a foothold in the region.

OCTOBER 8, 2017ByBOB MASON/FXEMPIRE
A STATUE of a Peshmerga fighter in Kirkuk.

The American Christian aid volunteers giving Kurdish Peshmerga medical training

A US-based Christian aid group teaches Peshmerga fighters how to save their lives and those of their comrades.

OCTOBER 3, 2017BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
AN FAI VOLUNTEER shows Peshmerga how to apply a tourniquet at a base at Hawija, Iraq.

Netanyahu scoffs at Erdogan's claim that Mossad behind Kurdish referendum

Netanyahu also said that Israel had “no involvement in the Kurdish referendum except for supporting their aspirations.”

OCTOBER 1, 2017ByHERB KEINON
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Post-referendum: Kurds in Iran demand rights as regime cracks down

Leader Mustafa Hijri: We must face the fact that Tehran is a destabilizing force in the region

SEPTEMBER 30, 2017BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Peshmerga from the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan stand for a photo at a secret location

Voices from the Arab press: Weekly selection and analyses from Arab media

The Lebanese people are busy complaining about the disintegration of their society, yet they refuse to take action against the source of this threat.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2017ByMEDIA LINE
Kurds celebrate to show their support for the independence referendum in Duhok, Iraq, September 26, 2017.

'You call for democracy but don’t support it': Kurds lash out at West

Where were the international monitors and observers, the former US Presidents and senators?

SEPTEMBER 27, 2017BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Kurds celebrate to show their support for the upcoming September 25th independence referendum in Erbil, Iraq September 22, 2017.

Kurdish statehood

The Kurdistan Regional Government gained relative independence in 1991, in the wake of the First Gulf War.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017ByJPOST EDITORIAL
A man casts his vote during Kurds independence referendum in Erbil, Iraq September 25, 2017, beside a picture of Kurds showing their support for the Kurdish independence referendum.

Kurdish leader says 'yes' vote won independence referendum

In a televised address, Barzani said the "yes" vote had won and he called on Iraq's central government in Baghdad to engage in "serious dialogue."

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017ByREUTERS
Kurds celebrate to show their support for the independence referendum in Duhok, Iraq, September 26, 2017.

Erdogan threatens halting relations with Israel amid Kurdish independence vote

Israel is the only nation to publicly support the Kurdish independence referendum.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017ByREUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF
TURKISH PRESIDENT Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets the audience during a ceremony to mark the 16th anniversary of his ruling AK Party’s foundation in Ankara, August 14.