Israel is concerned about unprecedented military exercises that Turkey began with Syria on Monday. The exercises are being held along Turkey and Syria’s common border and will last until Wednesday. Turkish and Syrian officials also signed an agreement for cooperation in the defense industry in Istanbul.

Turkey is one of Israel’s key allies, but Syria is one of its most bitter foes.

“Today we see a Syrian-Turkish drill, which is certainly a troubling development,” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told reporters. “But I believe that the strategic ties between Israel and Turkey will overcome even Turkey’s need to take part in this drill.”

Turkey is Israel’s closest Muslim ally. The two nations signed a mutual defense agreement in 1996. Among its benefits, the deal linked the two countries’ militaries in joint training, provided Israeli arms to Turkey ($2 billion worth as of 2007) and granted Israel’s air force overflight privileges.

But Israel and Turkey have been drifting apart more recently. Turkey was one of the strongest critics of Israel’s war in Gaza.

Israel relies on Turkey for much of its defense. But can Turkey be trusted? Developments like this show that Turkey is not committed to Israel as Israel is to Turkey. For more information, see our article “The Israel-Turkey Alliance Is a Trap.”