Turkey-Greece Tensions Rise Over Israel Defense Agreement

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the "Achilles Shield" defense agreement between Israel and Greece for the first time on Wednesday, calling on Athens to reverse course,while pointedly avoiding any mention of Israel.

When asked by reporters about the deal signed earlier this week, Erdoğan responded: "What will we do? What is incumbent upon us? To do what is necessary."

He warned that "anyone who interprets Turkey's measured and sober approach as weakness - and I say this openly - is making a grave mistake ... Greece must reverse its mistaken approach. History is an excellent guide for those who learn from it."

The agreement signed Monday between Israel's Defense Ministry and Greece's Defense Ministry is valued at approximately 3 billion euros (over $3.2 billion). Under the deal, Israel will establish a comprehensive multi-layered air defense system for Greece, based entirely on Israeli-designed architecture and systems, drawing on the extensive operational experience Israel's defense establishment has gained during the current war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the security agreement as "among the largest in the state's history" and "a direct continuation of the Eastern Mediterranean alliance we forged a decade ago with Greece and Cyprus. It provides further proof of the tremendous capabilities of Israel's defense and technology industries."

Defense Minister Israel Katz appeared to send a veiled message to Erdoğan when he welcomed the signing:

"Israel and Greece share common strategic interests and face common regional challenges. Precisely at a time when actors seek to expand their influence and undermine stability in the region, Israel and Greece will continue to deepen their security and strategic cooperation, and will act resolutely to preserve stability and fortify their security and shared interests."