Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is proposing a recent regional alliance, dubbed a “hexagonal alliance,” that would include countries such as India, Greece and Cyprus.
The proposed alliance, according to Al Jazeera, aims to unite nations with shared security interests to counter what Netanyahu describes as a “radical axis” in the Middle East.
In a statement on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Netanyahu said the alliance is intended to address threats posed by both a radical Shia axis and a radical Sunni axis. He identified Israel, India, Greece, and Cyprus, along with several unnamed Arab, African, and Asian nations, as potential members.
“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.
As of now, no country has formally endorsed the plan. Analysts suggest the idea is unlikely to materialize as a formal alliance, characterizing it instead as a political narrative.
The announcement comes ahead of a planned visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel. Modi has previously affirmed India’s appreciation for its friendship with Israel, built on trust, innovation, and technological cooperation.
However, observers believe India is likely to maintain a pragmatic stance and is unlikely to commit to an alliance based on ideological alignment, consistent with New Delhi’s long-standing non-aligned foreign policy.
Israel has also strengthened cooperation with Greece and Cyprus in recent years, particularly in the areas of energy and defense.
In 2025, Greece approved the purchase of 36 PULS rocket artillery systems from Israel for approximately $760 million (roughly 12 trillion Indonesian Rupiah). The two countries also discussed a further defense package estimated at $3.5 billion (around 55 trillion Indonesian Rupiah).
Both Greece and Cyprus are members of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu regarding alleged war crimes in Gaza. This membership presents political and legal obstacles to forming a closer alliance.
Andreas Krieg, an associate professor of security studies at King’s College London, believes the “hexagon” concept is more about image-making than a genuine alliance framework.
“This isn’t an alliance like NATO, but rather a way of packaging existing relationships and partnerships to look like a new strategic bloc,” he said.
The initiative is also seen as a response to domestic political pressures facing Netanyahu, including debates over judicial reform and corruption investigations. The alliance proposal is viewed as an attempt to demonstrate that Israel is not diplomatically isolated as it approaches elections.
Israeli political analyst Ori Goldberg noted that Israel’s deteriorating image due to the ongoing conflict makes it difficult to attract substantial support for such a large-scale alliance.
“Under these conditions, the ‘hexagonal’ alliance appears more like a fantasy world than a truly achievable plan,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to establish a new regional alliance involving countries across the Middle East and beyond, a move that underscores growing geopolitical maneuvering in the region. Netanyahu has proposed what he calls a “hexagonal alliance,” naming India, Greece, and Cyprus as potential partners alongside several unnamed nations. The proposed alliance, as reported by Al Jazeera, is intended to counter what Netanyahu characterizes as “radical axes” – both Shia and Sunni – that threaten regional stability. He outlined his vision on February 22, 2026, describing a network of alliances “around or within the Middle East.” While no nations have publicly committed to the plan, analysts suggest it is more likely a political messaging strategy than a concrete blueprint for a formal alliance. The initiative comes as Prime Minister Modi of India is scheduled to visit Israel, building on existing ties based on trust and technological collaboration. However, India is expected to maintain its traditional policy of non-alignment. Israel has been strengthening defense and energy cooperation with Greece and Cyprus, including a recent $760 million arms deal with Greece in 2025. However, both Greece and Cyprus’ membership in the International Criminal Court, which has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, could complicate deeper alliances. Experts, such as Andreas Krieg of King’s College London, believe the “hexagon” concept is more about presenting existing partnerships as a cohesive strategic bloc. The proposal also comes amid domestic political challenges for Netanyahu, potentially aimed at demonstrating Israel is not internationally isolated. The development could influence future diplomatic talks and regional security dynamics. (luc/luc) Add as a preferred
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