Why Israel is backing Kurdish independence

Deepak Tripathi

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Netanyahu’s support for an indepentent Kurdistan is more likely explained by Israeli geopolitical calculations than sympathy for the Kurds' history of persecution

Developments pointing towards the possibility of an independent Kurdish state raise new questions about Middle East politics, as well as the possibility of a major transformation of the region in years to come.
The history of the Middle East has been determined by events which initially seemed localised and relatively minor, before acquiring great significant and causing many upheavals in the long run. It appears that the region may be heading for yet another transformational change which may, in turn, invite comparisons with the events after World War I that shaped the Middle East of today.
The Kurdish people claim to have lived in the same land for more than 2,000 years. Their land has been divided by imperial manoeuvres. They have struggled against oppression and persecution for almost a century. Now, Masoud Barzani, president of the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq, says that he is going to hold a referendum on independence in coming months.http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/whats-behind-netanyahu-s-support-kurdish-independence-1536584149