Israeli Minister Slams Erdogan, Highlights Growing Alliance with Greece and Cyprus

Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, has praised the strengthening strategic partnership between Israel, Greece and Cyprus, describing it as a key pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean while launching a sharp attack on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The remarks came following the visit of the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, to Israel, amid growing regional tensions and renewed debate over security cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

A Strategic Mediterranean Partnership

In a post on social media, Chikli stressed that Israel is deepening one of its most important regional alliances through closer cooperation with Greece and Cyprus in the fields of defense, energy and security.

According to the Israeli minister, the partnership serves as a strategic counterweight to what he described as Ankara’s increasingly aggressive regional posture.

“In the face of Turkey’s escalating aggressiveness, Israel is strengthening one of the most important strategic alliances in the Eastern Mediterranean with Greece and Cyprus,” Chikli stated.

🇮🇱⚓️🇬🇷Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, completed an official visit to Israel, during which he met with the Commander of the Israeli Navy, Vice Admiral Eyal Harel.

The visit reflects the depth of the security relationship… pic.twitter.com/EpVgqTdV1S

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 21, 2026

Criticism of Turkey’s Regional Policies

The Israeli minister accused Turkey of pursuing revisionist policies in the region, pointing to long-standing disputes involving Greece and Cyprus.

He referenced Turkey’s military presence in northern Cyprus since 1974 and criticized Ankara’s long-standing opposition to potential Greek territorial water expansion in the Aegean.

Chikli also targeted the Turkish doctrine known as the “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan), claiming it seeks to reshape maritime boundaries at the expense of Greece, Cyprus and regional stability.

“Erdogan’s Turkey occupies northern Cyprus, has threatened Greece for decades and seeks to impose a new maritime order in the region,” he argued.

Syria and Hamas at the Center of the Dispute

The Israeli official also accused Ankara of supporting Islamist forces in Syria and providing political backing to groups hostile to Israel.

He claimed Turkey remains one of the principal supporters of the current Syrian leadership and alleged that Hamas continues to operate from Turkish territory.

According to Chikli, these policies have contributed to instability across the region and represent a direct challenge to Israel’s security interests.

“Israel Helped Turkey in Its Darkest Hours”

In one of the strongest parts of his statement, Chikli accused Erdogan of showing what he called “ingratitude” toward Israel.

The minister recalled Israel’s humanitarian assistance following the devastating Turkish earthquakes of 1999 and 2023, when Israeli rescue teams, medical personnel and emergency aid were deployed to affected areas.

“During Turkey’s darkest hours, Israel was there. Israeli teams saved Turkish lives beneath the rubble. Erdogan chose to repay that support by turning Turkey into a global center of anti-Israel hostility,” Chikli said.

Defense and Energy Cooperation Expanding

The Israeli minister emphasized that cooperation with Greece and Cyprus extends beyond military matters and includes energy projects, security coordination and defense industry partnerships.

Analysts view the trilateral relationship as one of the most significant geopolitical alignments in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly as regional energy resources and maritime disputes continue to shape strategic calculations.

A Message to Ankara

Chikli concluded that the Israel-Greece-Cyprus partnership represents a vital strategic framework for preserving stability in the region.

“The alliance with Greece and Cyprus, together with stronger cooperation in energy, security and defense industries, is a crucial strategic pillar against the imperial ambitions of Erdogan’s regime,” he stated.

The comments are likely to add further tension to already strained relations between Israel and Turkey, while underscoring the growing importance of the trilateral partnership among Israel, Greece and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In the face of Ankara’s escalating aggression, Israel is deepening one of the most important strategic alliances in the Eastern Mediterranean with Greece and Cyprus. 🇮🇱🇬🇷🇨🇾

Erdogan’s Turkey has occupied northern Cyprus since 1974, has threatened Greece with war for decades… pic.twitter.com/zeDwWOvKxP

— עמיחי שיקלי – Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) June 22, 2026

Source: pagenews.gr