New dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean after the Trilateral Summit: Why Netanyahu sent a clear message to Turkish revisionism
Israel’s prime minister said yesterday that any attempts to revive imperial ambitions or assert control over other countries should be ruled out, stressing that such scenarios will not materialize
Newsroom
For the first time in the history of the Greece–Cyprus–Israel Trilateral Cooperation, an Israeli leader delivered such an explicit message to Ankara, in response to Turkey’s revisionist stance—directed not only at Greece and Cyprus, but also at Israel itself.
By giving the Trilateral framework a new dimension, referring to it as an “Alliance,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Greece, Cyprus, and Israel are three countries proud of their history, stating:
“To those who fantasize about re-establishing empires and imposing their dominance over our homelands, I say this: forget it. It will not happen. Do not even think about it. We are determined and capable of defending ourselves, and our cooperation further strengthens this ability. Together, the three genuine democracies of the Eastern Mediterranean will promote security, prosperity, and freedom.”
Netanyahu’s statement was a direct response to the repeated attacks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan against Israel. Using the war in Gaza as a pretext, Erdoğan has repeatedly referred to Turkey’s “rights” in the region as the successor to the Ottoman Empire and has on several occasions spoken of the “liberation” of Jerusalem. Turkey’s leadership often invokes the concept of the so-called “borders of the heart,” which encompasses the full territorial extent of the former Ottoman Empire.
While the Trilateral Cooperation has included a security dimension since its inception, this is the first time explicit reference has been made to Turkey’s neo-Ottoman ambitions. Until now, all three countries had consistently emphasized that the cooperation framework is not directed against any third country and remains open to any state that respects international law and principles of good neighborly relations.
Responding to a question during the joint press conference, Netanyahu stressed that “we are not seeking confrontation with anyone,” adding that stability and peace are the shared objective. However, he warned that he hoped “our alliance will not be tested.”
The message, nevertheless, was unmistakable:
“Together, we bring stability through strength, prosperity through strength, and—most importantly—peace through strength.”
PM Netanyahu after the Israel–Greece–Cyprus summit: “To those who fantasize they can reestablish their empires over our lands, forget it. It’s not going to happen. Our cooperation further enhances our ability to defend ourselves.” pic.twitter.com/n9Rrp8DLpk
With close cooperation now extending into defense and armaments, Netanyahu’s remarks give the Trilateral Cooperation a new strategic depth—one he repeatedly referred to as an “Alliance” throughout his statements.
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