1 \ Important and worrying developments: Under the radar Israel is drawn into the escalating conflict between Turkey, Greece and Cyprus over Gaz exploration in the Eastern Mediterenean and the controvercial Turkey-Lybia economic waters deal
2 \ Netanyahu is now pushing for a joint Israeli-Greek-Cypriot reaction against Turkey that could escalate the tensions even further - signing a long awaited Gaz pipeline deal
3 \ Several months ago Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and The Palestinian Authority started an initiative for cooperation on Gaz exploration in the Eastern Mediterenean. The Turks were not part of this so they reacted by signing an economic waters deal with Lybia
4 \ The Turkey-Lybia deal diregards Greek and Cypriot rights in the Mediterenean. It created great tensions between Turkey, Greece and Cyprus including military threats. Israel sided with Greece and Cyprus against Turkey and even published a strong statement about it
5 \ A week ago I reported that Turkey chased an Israeli research vessel out of Cypriot economic waters. This incident was part of the growing tensions in the Eastern Mediterenean
6 \ On Friday Netanyahu spoke on the phone with the President on Cyprus Anastasiades. According to the government of Cyprus Netanyahu condemned the unlawful memorandum of understanding signed between Turkey and Libya
7 \ The Cypriot government claimed Netanyahu also suggested to Anastasiades that Israel, Cyprus and Greece proceed immediately with the signing of an agreement concerning the EastMed pipeline. The Israeli PM office didn't publish any statement on the call
8 \ On Saturday Netanyahu spoke on the phone with his Greek counterpart Mitsotakis. According to the Greek government both leaders discussed "security issues in light of Turkey’s agreement with Libya and the challenges of Ankara in the wider region"
9 \ Netanyahu proposed to the Greek Prime Minister that Israel-Greece-Cyprus sign the Gas pipeline deal as soon as possible. The Israeli PM office didn't publush any statement on this call too
10 \ On Sunday evening the Greek Prime Minister announce that Netanyahu will arrive in Athens on January 2nd together with the President of Cyprus for the signing of the Gas pipeline deal. The Israeli PM office still didn't comment on this part too
11 \ The signing of the trilateral deal between Israel, Greece and Cyprus is mostly symbolic. The deal still needs to be approved byItaly and in the EU. But this will be a strong diplomatic signal to Turkey and it also could further escalate tensions. END
