Israel Sends Message to Ankara During Defense Talks with Greece
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a veiled warning to Türkiye during a meeting with Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias in Athens, amid growing regional tensions linked to Gaza and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Speaking after the talks, Katz said Israel would not tolerate actions that undermine regional stability through indirect means. “We will not allow anyone to undermine stability through proxies, in Gaza or elsewhere,” he said, without naming Türkiye directly.
The remarks were widely interpreted as an indirect reference to Ankara’s political positioning on Gaza and its broader regional role. Katz’s comments came as Israel and Greece reaffirmed their defense cooperation, including in areas such as air defense, counter-drone systems, and cybersecurity.
The message echoed a broader line taken by the Israeli leadership on Gaza’s postwar arrangements. In a separate statemen earler, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out the presence of Turkish and Qatari troops in Gaza, underscoring Israel’s opposition to any role for Ankara in postwar security frameworks for the enclave. The stance has also surfaced amid differences with Washington over proposed international governance mechanisms for Gaza.
Katz framed his remarks as part of a wider security doctrine rather than a country-specific threat. “Anyone who thinks they can harm Israel or destabilize the region will face consequences,” he said, according to Israeli media reports.
The meeting in Athens highlighted the deepening strategic alignment between Israel and Greece at a time of shifting regional balances. While no new agreements were announced publicly, both sides emphasized continuity in military cooperation and shared security concerns.
Türkiye has not issued an immediate response to Katz’s remarks. Ankara has consistently rejected claims that its regional posture contributes to instability, maintaining that its position on Gaza is grounded in political and humanitarian considerations.