Jerusalem, Israel. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel described Israel’s deepening relations with Greece and Cyprus as an “alliance of stability,” responding to criticism from Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials.
Haskel’s remarks on regional instability
Speaking to Greek public broadcaster ERT, Haskel pointed to conflicts and what she described as rising radicalisation in multiple countries, mentioning Iraq, Lebanon, Iran, Hezbollah, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
She said Hezbollah had been “destroying” Lebanon and added that “they are doing the same in Iraq,” while also saying Iran’s leadership had “destroyed Iran, persecuted their own people,” and was exporting “radicalisation and instability” elsewhere.
“In a world of radicalisation, we need to create an alliance of stability,” she said.
Historical ties with Greece and Cyprus
Haskel also referred to “thousands of years of mutual history” connecting Israel, Cyprus, and Greece, citing links “between the Greek philosophy and the Jewish tradition.”
“For us, this is a continuation of our shared history,” she said.
Turkish and Turkish Cypriot pushback
The deepening relations have drawn criticism from Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at last month’s Antalya diplomacy forum that the Israeli government “met with the Greek Cypriot administration and formed an alliance against Muslim countries in the region.”
“We do not do what they do. We are looking for ways to extinguish the conflicts in our region, ensure economic progress, and bring stability to life,” Fidan said.
Asked later about relations between Greek Cypriots and Israel, he said Turkey’s “reaction” had been “minimal” and added that “we never wanted to disturb the spirit of cooperation” between Turkey and Greece.
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman also criticised the Greek Cypriot side’s political gravitation towards Israel during his appearance at the same forum.
What impact do you think closer ties between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus could have on regional diplomacy?
