Forget Reestablishing Ottoman Empire, Netanyahu Warns Turkey at Israel-Greece-Cyprus Summit
At the trilateral summit of Greece, Cyprus, and Israel in Jerusalem on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seized the moment to send a message of defiance to Turkey, one of Jerusalem’s leading critics on the international stage.
Standing alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, Netanyahu said in a thinly veiled reference to Turkey that “those who fantasize they can reestablish their empires and their dominion over our lands” should “forget it.”
The Ottoman Empire controlled large parts of the Middle East and Europe for six centuries before its collapse during World War I, leading to the formation of modern Turkey. “It is true that all of our countries were once conquered by successive empires,” Netanyahu remarked.
“But through courage and sacrifice, we achieved our independence in modern times,” he continued. “To those who fantasize they can reestablish their empires and their dominion over our lands, I say: Forget it. It’s not going to happen. Don’t even think about it.”
The three leaders solidified a partnership that Netanyahu described as “our tenth meeting, and I think it’s the most consequential.”
Greece: The energy hub of Southern Europe
A central theme of the summit was Greece’s rapid transformation into a critical energy corridor for the continent. Prime Minister Mitsotakis emphasized that Greece is “emerging as a key energy hub in the south of Eastern Europe,” a sentiment echoed by Netanyahu, who noted that “energy cooperation became a central pillar” of their relationship fifteen years ago and remains its foundation today. Other topics touched on at the summit were:
- The LNG Gateway: Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s infrastructure as a vital entry point for Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), noting it is “something that will be very relevant to both Cyprus and Israel.”
- The Great Sea Connector: The leaders advanced plans for this underwater electrical interconnection. Netanyahu confirmed they “discussed practically how to move this forward,” aiming to link the power grids of the three nations to mainland Europe via Greece.
- IMEC Integration: Mitsotakis underscored Greece’s role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Netanyahu emphasized the urgency of the project, stating, “We will advance IMEC…we think we have to put it into reality.”
Defending sovereignty in the Mediterranean
The summit took place against a backdrop of increasing regional friction. While all three nations face security challenges, Mitsotakis used the platform to address Greece’s specific concerns regarding regional stability and territorial integrity.
The leaders agreed “to deepen our security and defense cooperation,” with Netanyahu stressing that “the threats we face are real.” He added that together, they are defending “not only our own nations, but vital sea lanes and critical infrastructure that the global economy depends on.”
Diplomatic balance and leadership
Prime Minister Mitsotakis demonstrated Greece’s unique diplomatic reach by balancing high-level strategic cooperation in Israel with a commitment to broader regional peace. He noted that collaboration among three democratic states promotes both “regional stability and the prosperity of their peoples.”
Netanyahu reinforced this sense of unity against regional disorder, stating that the trilateral partnership “provides strength, clarity, and cooperation that will prevail over chaos.”
“This cooperation has yielded tangible results … we are not seeking confrontation, [but] we are seeking stability,” Mitsotakis stated, reflecting Greece’s role as a mature, democratic mediator. Prior to the summit, Mitsotakis visited Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. This move underscored Athens’ commitment to a balanced foreign policy and its dedicated pursuit of long-term peace in Gaza, ensuring Greece remains a credible interlocutor for all parties in the Middle East.
With Cyprus set to assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union in January, Mitsotakis signaled that Greece would act as a primary advocate for trilateral interests within the EU. As Netanyahu concluded, “The alliance between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus is a cornerstone of responsibility [and] stability … we will continue to work together in a spirit of trust.
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