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.

MARCH 7, 2026|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.

JANUARY 22, 2026|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.

NOVEMBER 30, 2025|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.

OCTOBER 16, 2025|ByAMED MARDIN

Why do state-seeking Palestinians oppose Kurdish independence vote?

The fact that Israel supported the referendum was a decisive factor in the Palestinians’ opposition.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017ByBEN LYNFIELD

A man casts his vote during Kurds independence referendum in Halabja, Iraq September 25, 2017.

Kurdish referendum on ‘Independence’ unpopular but imminent

A meaningless vote manufactures its own meaning. No regional or international actor except Israel has supported the referendum.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2017ByNICK ASHDOWN/THE MEDIA LINE

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

The Kurdish ‘Spring’: A long journey toward self-determination

Historic plans for a Kurdish referendum on September 25 are going forward in Iraq.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2017BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

A Kurdish man holds an Israeli and Kurdish flag during a rally to show their support for the upcoming September 25th independence referendum in Erbil, Iraq September 16, 2017.

A tale of two lonely nations: Israel and Kurdistan

In Iraq’s Kurdistan, authorities of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) allowed masses to rally as they were holding the Israeli flag.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2017ByCENG SAGNIC