The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on a message sent by Israeli occupation prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, delivered in the context of responses to tensions with Iran.
The newspaper noted that the trilateral summit bringing together Netanyahu, Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides carried political messages directed at Turkey.
It stated that amid recent shows of force, threats, and reports indicating increased production of ballistic missiles, Netanyahu said: “We know that Iran has been conducting military exercises recently, and we are monitoring this matter and taking the necessary preparations. I want to make it clear to Iran that any such action will be met with a very harsh response.”
Yedioth Ahronoth pointed out that Netanyahu also sent a message to Erdogan without naming him directly, saying: “To those who imagine they can build empires and control our lands, I say forget it. It will not happen. Do not even think about it. We are committed and capable of defending ourselves, and cooperation strengthens these capabilities. Together, we, the democracies of the Eastern Mediterranean, will strengthen security, prosperity, and freedom,” as he put it.
Netanyahu continued: “We agreed to expand military and security cooperation between us. The threats we face are real. We will work to build a better future for our countries and the entire region. We will achieve stability through strength, prosperity through strength, and peace through strength.”
He added: “I can speak on behalf of Israel and on behalf of both partners here: no one wants conflict. On the contrary,” adding that “we seek stability, prosperity, and peace. Of course, we are committed to protecting each country, as well as safeguarding maritime borders. I say that this is an alliance that supports these standards and stability, and we hope they will not put it to the test.”
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu’s remarks directed at Erdogan came after a report published last week by a Greek website stating that Tel Aviv, Athens, and Nicosia are studying the establishment of a joint military force to operate in the eastern Mediterranean, including naval, air, and ground units.
The Israeli newspaper confirmed that “this force would grant Tel Aviv additional strategic depth in confronting Turkey’s attempts to entrench its presence in the region, particularly in light of Ankara’s relations with the new Syrian regime led by President Ahmad al Sharaa. Greece and Cyprus, for their part, would achieve deterrence against what is described as the Turkish challenge.”
