Israel to form regional alliance rivaling radical axes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to establish a network of allied nations in or around the Middle East during his Sunday address. The proposed alliance would comprise countries sharing similar views on regional issues.

Netanyahu stated that Israel aims to create an “axis of nations that see eye to eye” with itself, encompassing countries such as Greece, Cyprus, and several Arab, African, and Asian nations. He described this initiative as a means to counter what he termed “radical adversaries.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel soon, marking the first time the two leaders will meet in person. Modi expressed agreement with Netanyahu on the bond between India and Israel, citing shared values of trust, innovation, and commitment to peace.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has contributed to strained relations with several predominantly Sunni Muslim states, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The situation has led to criticism from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and accusations of genocide against Israel by Saudi Arabia.

Israel has sought to establish formal ties with Arab and Muslim states since 2020 as part of the US-backed “Abraham Accords.” Under this framework, Israel has developed close relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco.

Source: Al Jazeera