Journalists' sources have noted the strained relations between Israel and Turkey due to the IDF's operation against militants of the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas.
Additionally, Israel believes that the "new Islamist rulers" of Syria, backed by Ankara, pose a threat to Israel's borders, according to the agency.
According to their information, the lobbying appears to be a coordinated campaign by Israel precisely at a time when the new Syrian authorities are trying to ease U.S. anti-Syrian sanctions and "stabilize the fractured state."
Reuters sources indicate that it remains unclear to what extent the administration of President Donald Trump will align with Israel’s perspective. It is also uncertain whether American military forces will remain in the region.
Research Fellow at the American think tank Century International, Aron Lund, suggests that Israel is concerned about a scenario where Russian military bases could fall under the control of Hamas or other militants.
The agency reminds that after the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Israel conducted large-scale airstrikes on Syrian military bases and relocated its troops to the UN-controlled demilitarized zone in Syria.
Reuters sources revealed that when Israeli lobbyists described the presence of Russian bases to U.S. representatives in a "positive light," some Americans were surprised, as Turkey is a NATO member, which could be seen as "the best guarantee of Israel's security." However, the lobbyists were "unyielding" in asserting that this was not the case.