# Why Israel Is Deepening Ties With the Balkans

- Original post: https://www.twitter.com/i/status/2113941068186263890
- Source account: [@AJEnglish](https://x.com/AJEnglish)
- Source language: English
- Duration: 2:18
- Published: 2026-11-03
- Canonical URL: https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans

## Transcript

[0:00](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans) Is the Balkans becoming Israel's new foothold?

[0:03](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=3) One by one, Balkan leaders have been shaking hands with Israeli officials, making deals to deepen their ties.

[0:11](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=11) Greece signed a $3.5 billion deal for Israeli air defense systems, and with Israel and Cyprus is pursuing plans to bring East Mediterranean gas to Europe.

[0:22](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=22) Albania signed a cooperation agreement with Israel on trade, energy, and cybersecurity.

[0:28](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=28) Serbia opened a drone factory with Elbit Systems, a major supplier to the Israeli military, which also runs production sites in Romania.

[0:38](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=38) So what does Israel want in this corner of Europe?

[0:42](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=42) Israeli interest in the Balkans revolve around two things.

[0:46](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=46) Number one, trying to dilute, uh, EU's, uh, EU's position on the Palestinian issue by gaining, uh, support. The second one is, of course, uh, the unpredictable security environment that Israel has and its rivalry with Iran and increasingly Turkey, where Israel tries to expand its, uh, periphery.

[1:07](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=67) But it is a two-way street. Since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza, Serbia's arms exports to Israel have jumped nearly 40-fold, while Belgrade finalized a $1.6 billion deal for Israeli equipment.

[1:22](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=82) In ethnically divided Bosnia, Serb leaders have sided with Israel and hosted an Israeli Chamber of Commerce office. And in Slovenia, a new conservative government has swung back towards Tel Aviv.

[1:35](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=95) So what is in it for the Balkans? They, uh, see some benefits from engaging Israel, whether they believe it is part of their, uh, geopolitical balancing of engaging multiple countries. Among the ethnic Serbs and ethnic Albanians, it is a part of an effort to secure backing from the US by courting Israel and its lobby groups.

[1:54](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=114) The Balkans rarely agree on anything. The region has always been torn between Russia, the West, and China. Now, as security, defense, and political ties deepen, Israel is emerging as a new player at the table.

[2:08](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/F1iGzJ0mjJYE/en/why-israel-is-deepening-ties-with-the-balkans?t=128) The real question is, what do the Balkans gain from this partnership and at what price?