Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed his military secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, and acting National Security Council director Gil Reich to Athens for high-level discussions with Greek counterparts on defense and diplomatic matters, according to the Prime Minister's Office and reports from Israeli outlet Ynet. 20 This move underscores Israel's commitment to bolstering strategic ties with Greece amid evolving regional dynamics.
A Subtle Signal to Turkish President Erdoğan?
The timing appears pointed, especially given Netanyahu's longstanding opposition to any Turkish military or economic footprint in Gaza. As early as October 2025, Netanyahu publicly drew a "red line" against Turkish involvement in postwar stabilization efforts, citing Ankara's ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and its vocal support for Hamas during the conflict. 10 11 12 He reiterated this stance in meetings with U.S. officials, insisting Israel alone would vet any international forces near its borders, and explicitly ruling out Turkish troops or reconstruction roles. 14 15 16
With Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pushing for a greater Ankara-led role in Gaza's humanitarian and security landscape—despite a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire—Israel's outreach to Greece serves as a clear counterweight. 13 18 The two nations, long aligned against shared threats from Turkish expansionism in the eastern Mediterranean, are deepening military cooperation, including talks on advanced systems like an Iron Dome equivalent for Athens. 3 This "Hellenic alliance" not only fortifies Israel's southern flank but also implicitly curbs Erdoğan's ambitions in post-conflict Gaza, signaling that Jerusalem views Athens as a reliable partner over rivals in the region.
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