Israeli PM voices support for independent Kurdistan

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Israeli Prime Minister voices support for the establishment of a Kurdish state as the Kurdistan Region heads toward holding independence referendum.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement released by the PM office on Tuesday, stated that his country supports the establishment of an independent country for Kurds.

Referring to Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Netanyahu said “while Israel rejects terror in any form, it supports the legitimate efforts of the Kurdish people to attain a state of their own.”

On Aug. 14, in a meeting with 33 members of the US Congress, Netanyahu said he supports the establishment of an independent Kurdistan in northern Iraq.

Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked on Monday expressed her support for the establishment of an independent Kurdistan.

“Israel [and] the Western countries have a major interest in the establishment of the state of Kurdistan,” Shaked said.

“I think that the time has come for the US to support the process [of an independent Kurdistan],” she continued.

The Israeli officials’ comments come as the Kurdistan Region nears a historic referendum for independence on Sep. 25.

Senior Kurdistan Region officials have also reiterated there is no turning back despite regional and international warnings that it would lead to instability in the Middle East.