Israel, Greece, and Cyprus issue sharp warning to Turkey

WISE NEWS PRESS / JERUSALEM, ISRAEL — DECEMBER 23, 2025

Leaders from Israel, Greece, and Cyprus convened in Jerusalem for a high-level summit, signaling a deepened defense and energy partnership while delivering pointed messages directed at Turkey's regional influence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, emphasized their commitment to protecting sovereign maritime rights under international law. Netanyahu warned against any attempts to "rebuild empires" on their territories, stating that the trio seeks stability but remains fully prepared to defend their national interests and collective security.

Deepening defense and military cooperation

The summit highlighted a significant surge in military collaboration as a counterweight to regional challenges. Reports suggest the three nations are evaluating the creation of a 2,500-strong joint rapid response force, consisting of 1,000 soldiers each from Greece and Israel, and 500 from Cyprus. This move follows Cyprus’s recent deployment of the Israeli-made Barak air defense system.

"We hope our determination is not tested," Netanyahu remarked during the joint press conference, stressing that their cooperation enhances the capability to meet "real threats." The leaders confirmed that regular joint military exercises in the Mediterranean would continue to expand in scope and frequency.

Energy corridors and the IMEC project

A central pillar of the Jerusalem talks was the advancement of the "Great Sea Interconnector" (GSI), a subsea cable project designed to link the electricity grids of the three nations with Europe and the Arabian Peninsula. Prime Minister Mitsotakis noted that Greece is rapidly becoming a "new energy hub" for Southeast Europe through its role in liquid natural gas (LNG) shipments.

Furthermore, the leaders discussed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a massive infrastructure project viewed as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. While the project currently bypasses Turkey—a point of contention for Ankara—President Christodoulides described it as a "southeast gateway" linking Europe to the Middle East and beyond.

Strategic consultations ahead of Trump meeting

The timing of the summit is particularly strategic, occurring just days before Prime Minister Netanyahu’s scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on December 29. According to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, the Jerusalem talks served as a preparatory session to align the "3+1" format—Greece, Cyprus, and Israel plus the United States—ahead of the new U.S. administration's term.

Analysts suggest that the united front presented in Jerusalem aims to secure Washington's continued support for East Mediterranean energy and security projects that intentionally exclude Turkish participation.

www.wisenewspress.com