Monday August 10, 2026
Hargeisa (HOL) — Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has called for stronger ties with Somaliland, Greece, Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates, citing concerns over a new defense agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.
Chikli’s remarks, reported by international media outlet Clash Report, described the agreement among the three countries as a worrying development and said Israel should strengthen cooperation with what he called key regional partners.
“The Mecca alliance is a very dangerous and worrying development,” Chikli said, according to Clash Report.
The minister said Saudi Arabia had previously maintained a defense agreement with Pakistan but expressed concern over closer security ties between Riyadh and Ankara, particularly as relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated.
Chikli said closer cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Turkey could have significant regional implications, including in the Mediterranean and Syria.
He argued that the developments made it more important for Israel to deepen its relationships with Somaliland, Greece, Cyprus and the UAE.
The comments come amid shifting security alliances in the Middle East and surrounding regions. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan recently signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, which provides for collective defense commitments among the three countries.
The agreement has drawn attention because of the strategic importance of the countries involved and growing tensions between Israel and some regional powers.