Netanyahu Pushes ‘Hexagon Alliance’ with India, Greece & Cyprus Against Mideast ‘Radical Axis’
Jerusalem – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively pursuing the formation of a new regional alliance, dubbed a “hexagon of alliances,” identifying India, Greece, and Cyprus as key potential partners. The initiative, unveiled in recent days, aims to counter what Netanyahu characterizes as “radical axes” operating in the Middle East.
Speaking on , Netanyahu outlined a vision for a network of nations sharing similar security interests, designed to confront what he described as both a “radical Shia axis” and an “emerging radical Sunni axis.” Beyond Israel, he specifically named India, Greece, and Cyprus, while also indicating the potential inclusion of other Arab, African, and Asian states, though these remain unnamed.
“In the vision I see before me, we will create an entire system, essentially a ‘hexagon’ of alliances around or within the Middle East,” Netanyahu stated, according to reports. The announcement comes as tensions remain high in the region, particularly between Israel and Iran, and as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan explore a NATO-like security pact with potential Turkish involvement.
However, as of , no government has publicly endorsed Netanyahu’s plan. Analysts suggest the concept may be more of a political framing exercise than a concrete path toward a formal alliance. The initiative’s viability is further complicated by the fact that both Greece and Cyprus are members of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu concerning alleged war crimes in Gaza. This presents a significant legal and political obstacle to closer cooperation.
The timing of Netanyahu’s announcement coincides with the scheduled visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel, beginning on . Modi has previously affirmed India’s strong relationship with Israel, emphasizing a foundation of trust, innovation, and technological collaboration. However, observers note that India traditionally maintains a non-aligned foreign policy and is unlikely to commit to an alliance based on ideological alignment.
Israel has been strengthening ties with both Greece and Cyprus in recent years, particularly in the areas of energy and defense. In , Greece approved the purchase of 36 PULS rocket artillery systems from Israel for approximately US$760 million. Discussions are also underway regarding a further defense package potentially worth US$3.5 billion.
Despite these bilateral developments, the ICC warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest casts a shadow over the prospect of a broader alliance. Andreas Krieg, a security studies professor at King’s College London, suggests the “hexagon” concept is primarily a branding exercise. “This is not an alliance like NATO, but rather a way of packaging existing relationships and partnerships to appear as a new strategic bloc,” he said.
The push for this alliance also comes amid domestic political pressures facing Netanyahu, including ongoing debates over judicial reforms and corruption investigations. Some analysts believe the proposal is intended to project an image of Israel as diplomatically secure ahead of potential elections. Ori Goldberg, an independent Israeli political analyst, noted that Israel’s deteriorating international image due to the ongoing conflict makes it difficult to garner genuine support for a large-scale alliance. “In these conditions, the ‘hexagon’ alliance looks more like a fantasy world than a plan that can actually be realized,” he stated.
The proposed alliance reflects Netanyahu’s framing of the Middle East as divided into opposing ideological camps. This narrative, however, has not been widely adopted by other regional or international actors. The success of the “hexagon” will depend on Netanyahu’s ability to convince other nations that this framework aligns with their strategic interests and that the benefits of joining outweigh the potential political and legal complications.
The initiative also raises questions about the potential for further polarization in the region. By explicitly defining adversaries along sectarian lines, Netanyahu risks exacerbating existing tensions and hindering efforts toward broader regional cooperation. Whether the “hexagon” will evolve into a tangible alliance or remain a rhetorical device remains to be seen, but its unveiling underscores Israel’s ongoing efforts to reshape its regional security posture.