The Times of Israel © 2026 The Times of Israel , All Rights Reserved - Katz issues veiled warning to Turkey as he meets Greek defense minister in Athens - By Lazar Berman Follow 20 January 2026, 3:27 pm

 The Times of Israel

© 2026 The Times of Israel , All Rights Reserved

Katz issues veiled warning to Turkey as he meets Greek defense minister in Athens

Israel won’t allow the use of terror to undermine regional stability, Katz says; Greek counterpart says Athens to cooperate with Jerusalem on anti-drone tech, cybersecurity

By Lazar Berman Follow

20 January 2026, 3:27 pm

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Greece's Defence Minister Nikos Dendias (R) and Defense Minister Israel Katz attend a joint press conference in Athens on January 20, 2026. (Aggelos NAKKAS / AFP)

Defense Minister Israel Katz met with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias in Athens on Tuesday as security ties continue to grow between the two Mediterranean countries.

Issuing a thinly veiled warning to Turkey, Katz said Israel and Greece were determined “not to allow actors seeking to undermine regional stability to establish a foothold through terrorism, aggression, or military proxies — in Syria, in Gaza, in the Aegean Sea, or in any other arena — and to realize their dangerous ambitions.”

“Those who dream of dragging the region backward, establishing control through terror, or rebuilding empires at the expense of sovereign states will encounter a resolute alliance of free, strong nations capable of defending themselves,” Katz continued, alongside his Greek counterpart.

Speaking of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last slain hostage held in Gaza, Katz stressed that “Hamas bears the responsibility to locate him and return him to Israel for burial without any delay.”

Greece will cooperate with Israel on anti-drone systems and cybersecurity, Dendias said after meeting his Israeli counterpart

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