Israel uneasy over Mecca Agreement

Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has made notable remarks regarding the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Chikli argued that the agreement is "dangerous and concerning" for Israel.

Speaking to the Israel-based i24NEWS television channel, Chikli claimed that the agreement signed on August 7 could have serious consequences in terms of regional balances. He characterized Saudi Arabia's move toward closer cooperation with Turkey as a negative development for the Tel Aviv administration.

In his assessment, Chikli stated, "The Mecca Alliance is an extremely dangerous and concerning development." The Israeli minister, who argued that Saudi Arabia had maintained a neutral line in the region until now, reminded that Riyadh already had a defense agreement with Pakistan.

Using harsh language regarding Turkey as well, Chikli said that Saudi Arabia beginning to act in concert with Turkey "in a way that could lead to extremely serious consequences from the Mediterranean to the Syrian front" is a "very, very bad development" for Israel.

Stating that Israel must strengthen some of its partnerships in the region in the face of this picture, Chikli said, "It makes it imperative for us to further deepen our alliances with Greece, the Greek Cypriot Administration, the United Arab Emirates, and Somaliland."