Four Nations Meet at Knesset to Counter Turkish Ambitions

Government officials and parliament members from Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and the United States convened at the Knesset on February 11, 2026, to establish a stronger eastern Mediterranean alliance. Organized in cooperation with the Middle East Forum, the meeting focused on countering Turkey's regional ambitions and expanding cooperation beyond security to include civilian resilience in energy, water, agriculture, and innovation.

Ohad Tal, a member of the Knesset and co-chair of the caucus, described the alliance as a strategic asset. During the session, U.S. Congressman Randy Fine argued against Turkey's acquisition of F-35 aircraft, suggesting there was no utility in the purchase occurring through NATO. Simultaneously, Congressman Brad Schneider promoted the Gateway Act as a mechanism to increase formal cooperation between the United States, Israel, Cyprus, and Greece.

Other key participants included Dimitris Kairidis of the Greek delegation to NATO and Harris Georgiades of the Cypriot Parliament. Alon Schuster, also a caucus co-chair, advocated for joint initiatives in innovation and energy to ensure regional stability. The discussions emphasized the necessity of a coordinated legislative and strategic front to maintain security and trade in the region.