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Israel’s Netanyahu: Achilles Shield pact with Greece top deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the "Achilles Shield" defense agreement with Greece one of the most important in Israel's history during the Tel Aviv signing ceremony.

Eleni Papadaki-Van Der Merwe Staff Writer

SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 AT 2:30 PM

Cornerstone of Defense Cooperation

The Israeli prime minister emphasized the strategic significance of the agreement for closer defense cooperation between the two states, positioning it as a continuation of the broader alliance that has been formed over the past decade in the Eastern Mediterranean. “The defense agreement signed today with Greece, one of the most important in the country’s history, is part of the continuation of our alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean that was achieved ten years ago with Greece and Cyprus,” Netanyahu stated, according to Law & Order.

Strength and Regional Alliances

Through a statement from his office, the Israeli prime minister noted that the agreement demonstrates Israel’s strength, confidence in the country’s defense exports, and the ability to strengthen regional alliances. “This agreement testifies to Israel’s strength, the confidence placed in our defense exports, and the strengthening of our regional alliances,” he added.

Shared Strategic Challenges

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz also addressed the strategic dimension of bilateral cooperation. In his remarks, he said the two countries share common strategic interests and face identical regional challenges. “Israel and Greece have common strategic interests and face the same regional challenges,” the Israeli Defense Minister stated.

Strengthening Cooperation Against Threats

Katz underlined the commitment of both states to continuously strengthen their cooperation in the fields of defense and strategy. Israel and Greece, according to his remarks, will continue to enhance bilateral ties “at a time when actors with hegemonic ambitions seek to extend their influence and undermine stability in the region,” as he stated, according to Law & Order.

Source: Law & Order

Eleni Papadaki-Van Der Merwe

She was born in 1986 in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is the granddaughter of an immigrant from Crete who settled in the Greek community of Johannesburg (one of the largest in Africa). She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg and a master’s degree in Journalism from Rhodes University in Grahamstown. She began her career at English-language media outlets in Johannesburg, covering politics and economics, with a focus on issues related to migration and the diaspora. She moved to Athens in 2015 to “return to her roots,” initially to pursue graduate studies, and has remained there permanently. She is married to an Afrikaner; they have two children and live in the southern suburbs of Athens.