Netanyahu speaks of forming ‘alliance’ against ‘Sunni and Shia axes’ including Arab states

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that efforts were under way to form what he described as a regional “alliance” to counter what he called “Sunni and Shia axes”.

According to Bloomberg, Netanyahu made the remarks at a cabinet meeting ahead of a visit this week by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said the proposed network of alliances would include India, Arab and African countries, Greece, Cyprus and other Asian states.

Netanyahu added that these countries share what he described as a different vision from what he called the “hardline Shia axis” and the “emerging hardline Sunni axis”.

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He claimed the aim was “to create an axis of countries that view reality, challenges and goals in the same way, in contrast to the radical axes, which include the Shia axis, to which we have dealt very strong blows, as well as the radical Sunni axis that is taking shape”.

He said cooperation among these countries could bring “great benefits” and would “of course ensure our strength and our future”.

Netanyahu added that, if these countries were to join the alliance, such cooperation could “yield significant results and ensure Israel’s resilience and future”, in his words.

There has been no immediate comment from any of the Arab or other countries he referred to regarding his remarks.

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