Netanyahu seeks new regional alliance against extremist axes

According to Israeli media reports cited by The Times of Israel, Netanyahu said in his opening remarks at the weekly cabinet meeting that Israel would work to establish “a kind of six-party alliance system” within the Middle East or on its periphery.

In this context, Netanyahu focused on India, Greece, and Cyprus, and also referred to other Arab, African, and Asian countries whose names he did not disclose.

The Prime Minister announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to Israel next Wednesday, noting that relations between the two countries are “growing stronger.” He explained that strategic cooperation would be based on economic, diplomatic, and security collaboration.

Netanyahu said: “The goal is to create an axis of countries that understand reality, the challenges, and the objectives in the same way; to stand against both the extremist Shiite axis, which we have dealt heavy blows to, and the extremist Sunni axis that has emerged on the scene.”

It is worth noting that the regional axis led by Ali Khamenei has weakened in recent years, particularly after the fall of the Baath regime in Syria in December 2024, which altered regional balances.

It is claimed that the interim government head Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was appointed to lead the new administration in Syria, enjoys support from Washington, though Israel reportedly views him with suspicion.

Netanyahu also announced that Modi will address the Israeli parliament (the Knesset). India is Israel’s second-largest trading partner in Asia and its seventh-largest worldwide.

ANHA