Turkey’s Erdoğan issues threats as Israel hosts PMs of Greece & Cyprus for summit in Jerusalem

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that his country would not tolerate “violations of its rights” ahead of a tripartite summit of the leaders of Greece, Cyprus and Israel in Jerusalem on Monday.

A Greek newspaper reported last week that the three countries are considering establishing a joint force in the Eastern Mediterranean in response to Turkey’s military buildup in the region.

“The alliance between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus is an anchor of responsibility, stability, and shared interests in a challenging region,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after welcoming the Greek premier and the Cypriot president in Jerusalem.

“We will continue to work together, consistently and resolutely, to strengthen security, advance economic development, and deepen the ties between our peoples.”

Speaking at a naval ceremony last weekend, President Erdoğan said that Turkey “does not want any tension, crisis or conflict with any country,” while warning, “Turkey will not allow violations of its rights or what belongs to it.”

The country recently expanded its naval power under the “Blue Homeland” (Mavi Vatan) doctrine, challenging maritime boundaries amid strong objections from Greece and Cyprus.

A diplomatic source told The Times of Israel that the Jerusalem summit was intended to show that the relationship between the three countries is “moving to a new stage,” and that this will be highlighted in a joint declaration following the meetings.

The official also addressed reports about a joint force, saying that no announcement was expected. “Nothing is ready to be stated broadly and openly,” the source said.

The declaration will deal with “energy, security, and most of the economic sectors you can imagine, from tourism to agriculture,” the source added.

Netanyahu privately welcomed both leaders before a tripartite meeting. His office stated that he met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the president of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, in a private setting, before holding an “expanded meeting including the Foreign and Energy Ministers” and senior officials of the respective countries.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar met with his counterparts, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, ahead of the meetings with Netanyahu.

In addition, Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with the Mitsotakis and Christodoulides, as well.

Herzog and Christodoulides discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance regional initiatives aimed at promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, Herzog’s office said.

“You know our relations with Cyprus have been upgraded dramatically in recent years. There's huge potential of doing business together and actually developing together with Greece and other countries, the Eastern basin of the Mediterranean,” Herzog said.

“As we can look forward to the day after in Gaza, and also to the strategic changes in Syria and Lebanon, I think that the place of Cyprus is essential… It can also be a bridge for peace with our Palestinian neighbors and other countries in the region, as you stretch your connectivity all the way to India and the UAE.”

“I want to take this opportunity to wish the people of Cyprus and all our sisters and brothers of the Christian communities in the Middle East and, of course, in the Holy Land, Merry Christmas and a Happy 2026,” Herzog concluded.

Christodoulides noted in his response, “Issues like defense and security, energy, economy and trade, innovation are high on our agenda. And of course, tourism – you mentioned the Israelis coming to Cyprus, and I was very glad to find out during the summer time we have 186 weekly flights.”

Cyprus is set to assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union in just a few days. “One of our main priorities is to bring the European Union much closer to the region,” the Cypriot leader said.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis joined Herzog for a condolence visit to the family of Ionas Karussis, a 26-year-old architecture student who was murdered by terrorists last year. Karussis' parents are Greek citizens who “made their home in Jerusalem.

“We are in the home of the Karussis family, whose son, Ionas, was murdered by terrorists last year in Jaffa, and we feel that there's a bridge here of Israelis and Greeks,” Herzog told Mitsotakis.

“I think we can develop the Eastern Mediterranean in a very substantial way for the benefit of all nations of the region, including our neighbors, the Palestinians, and, of course, the Arab states, going all the way to India… But the fact that we are here in this home tells us and reminds us that we have to fight our enemies, and we have to change the reality in the region for a better future, so that beautiful flowers like Ionas will not be killed by terrible people that surround us.”

Mitsotakis noted that Karussis’ murder “was a tragic event which reminds us of the necessity to fight terrorism in all its forms… We plan next year to fund a scholarship in his memory, and I know that his life might have been cut short by this horrible terrorist, but he left behind him a legacy of goodness, and his memory will live on.”

“Rest assured, Mr. President, that the strategic relationship between Greece and Israel has never been stronger. And if you include also Cyprus, as you said, you have three countries that are working together for a peaceful and stable Eastern Mediterranean,” Mitsotakis added.

“And this should be the hope of all of us, especially as we come towards Christmas, a celebration of peace and friendship. This is the spirit that we want present in this part of the world.”