Senior Israeli: 'The triple alliance is aimed at us, we wouldn't be surprised if Egypt joins'

A senior Israeli official said the triple alliance between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan is directed against Israel, and expressed doubt about the claim that it is against Iran. He called on Israel to form alliances with Greece, Cyprus, India, and the Emirates. The Turkish foreign minister compared the agreement to NATO's Article 5, and Pakistan called for Islamic unity against Israel.

A senior Israeli official, whose identity was not disclosed, said today (Monday) that the defense agreement signed over the weekend in Mecca between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan is troubling for Israel and is perceived as being directed against it. According to him, Israel should create alternative alliances with the Hellenic axis (Greece and Cyprus), India, and the United Arab Emirates, and be strong so that countries will need it. He expressed skepticism about the claim that the alliance is directed against Iran, and said that the story of Turkey and Erdogan is dangerous, and that he would not be surprised if Egypt joins the alliance. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in an interview with the Anadolu Agency that the agreement is similar to Article 5 of the NATO treaty, and that a ministerial committee and a general secretariat will be established in Saudi Arabia. The agreement, signed on Friday between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is the result of nearly a year of contacts. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif called on the Islamic world to unite against Israel, which he said poses a threat to all.