Israeli prime minister backs Kurdish independence in Iraq

Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel supports the establishment of an independent Kurdistan ahead of its controversial referendum. “Israel supports the legitimate efforts of the Kurdish people to attain a state of its own, ” the Israeli prime minister’s office announced in statement. An independent Kurdistan would give Israel an ally in the region and would undermine Iranian influence in Iraq.

Mr Netanyahu’s statement also said Israel rejects the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, also known as PKK, and considers it a “terrorist organization”.

His comments come after the former Israeli defence forces deputy chief, Major General Yair Golan expressed support for Kurdish independence and said the “Kurdish PKK fighting Turkey is not a terrorist organization”, during in a conference in Washington.

On Monday, Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked also expressed support for the Kurdistan region’s aspirations for independence.

“Israel and countries of the West have a major interest in the establishment of the state of Kurdistan.”

Ms Shaked encourage the United States to “support the process”.

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