Alluding to Turkey, Netanyahu hits out at those who fantasize they can reestablish their empires

Speaking to the press during a trilateral summit with his Greek and Cypriot counterparts, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells “those who fantasize they can reestablish their empires and their dominion over our lands” to “forget it,” in what is likely a thinly veiled reference to Turkish influence in the region.

Delivering remarks alongside Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, Netanyahu says: “It is true that all of our countries were conquered in the past by a succession of empires.”

“But through courage and sacrifice, we achieved our independence in modern times,” he continues. “To those who fantasize they can reestablish their empires and their dominion over our lands, I say: Forget it. It’s not going to happen. Don’t even think about it,” he warns.

“We are committed and able to defend ourselves and our cooperation further enhances that capability,” Netanyahu says.

The trilateral summit, the tenth such summit between the countries, follows reports that Greece, Cyprus and Israel are exploring the creation of a rapid-response military force in the eastern Mediterranean, in light of growing concern in Athens over Turkey’s expanding military posture.