In the 1960s, the Kurds in Iraq, who enjoy autonomy, formed an alliance with Israel, then a young state under threat. Many thought it was only a matter of time before the alliance would vanish. Meanwhile, Israel's intelligence services and political leadership have identified the importance of the strategic ties with the Kurds in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
The Kurds delivered the goods and passed the tests Israel set them, and in exchange received generous amounts of money and defense know-how. One of the biggest successes in the history of the Mossad would never have taken place if they hadn't lent their hands to helping recruit Iraqi fighter pilot Munir Rufa, who in 1966 went AWOL to Israel in a Russian MIG-21 fighter jet, giving Israel a huge advantage in the corridors of power in Washington, which had failed to get its hands on the plane, which was considered a technological marvel and whose capabilities worried the Americans and their allies.
For decades, oil been flowing and reaching Israel – with the knowledge of the Iraqi government, according to foreign reports. Seven years ago, here in Israel, I hosted a Kurdish businessman and a member of parliament. The stated purpose of their visit was to acquire agricultural technologies. From our conversations, it was clear that not only did they view Israel as their partner, they also wanted the partnership out in the open.
The Kurdish people number some 30 million, and they are spread across a few countries, with the largest concentration living in northern Iraq and on the Syrian border, Iran, and Turkey, all of which the subject of immense efforts by Israel. Some claim that all the actions against the Iranian nuclear program – with fingers pointed at Israel – is being carried out by and with the help of the Kurds. Israel was the first country in the world to publicly support complete independence for the Kurdish people in northern Iraq following the Kurdistan Region referendum in 2017.
There is no doubt that Israel's defense and security archives are full of material about actions by Israel and Israelis in Kurdistan that are still classified. Only four years ago, Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani gave an interview to Israeli journalist Henrique Cymerman, and told him about his ties with Israel. Barzani even wrote a letter he asked Cymerman to deliver to senior Israeli officials. A few months from now, a new book is due to be published that will include more information and revelations about Israeli-Kurdish relations.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
