Sep 26, 2017

"I hope that if a majority votes for independence, Israel will be the first state to recognize the independence of Kurdistan." That is what former Minister Gideon Saar from Likud tweeted as millions of Kurds in northern Iraq voted on a referendum on whether to declare independence on Sept. 25. Saar may have been the first Israeli politician to wish the Kurds success in their struggle for independence, but he was hardly the only one. On the other hand, Turkey, Iraq and Iran all reject the establishment of an independent Kurdish state, as does the United States, which is concerned that such a step at this point in time could lead to war in the region. Israel is the only state that has expressed support for Kurdish aspirations.

Israel's approach developed not only because it is in its strategic interests, but also because the Kurds have a moral right to statehood. It is also impossible to dismiss the long historic bond between Israel and the Kurds and the many years of cooperation between them.

Right after Saar tweeted, Communications Minister Ayoob Kara tweeted his support for the Kurdish demand for independence: "The Kurdish referendum will expedite a comprehensive arrangement in the Middle East, and correct the historic Sykes-Picot Agreement, which failed to consider the needs of many minorities, including 40 million Kurds." In the photo accompanying his tweet, Kara tagged himself with a senior Kurdish official with whom he had met. The Twitter-fest was far from over.

Many more Israeli politicians used the medium to shower warmth and support on the Kurds. Knesset member and Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid was up next. He chose to send his best wishes for the success of the referendum in English: "The Jewish people know what it is to struggle for a homeland," Lapid tweeted. "The Kurds have a moral right to a state of their own." Lapid emphasized the common destiny of the Jewish people and the Kurds of northern Iraq, adding a deep-rooted emotional component to his support. That, however, wasn't enough for the Yesh Atid chairman. Later in the day, Lapid linked to what he called an "excellent article" in The New York Times, written by Ron Prosor, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations.

Prosor explains the strategic importance of creating an independent Kurdistan and claims that it would be a wise move for the United States to support Kurdish independence because the Kurdish state would contribute to the war against the Islamic State (IS), especially since the Kurds are already important allies in this struggle. Prosor believes that US support for the referendum and an independent Kurdistan would be a victory for democratic values, self-determination and minority rights. He even recalled the brutal regime of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, who attacked the Kurds with chemical weapons 30 years ago, citing it as evidence of a moral obligation to support the Kurds in their quest for independence.