Israel Expresses Concern Over New Turkey-Saudi Arabia Land Trade Corridor
An Israeli Hebrew-language newspaper has reported that Israel is concerned about the expanding economic cooperation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia and the establishment of a new land trade corridor. This route is set to connect the Gulf Arab countries to Europe through Syria and Jordan.
According to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, this project effectively sidelines Israel and could emerge as a competitor to the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), a plan that Israel strongly supports.
If this land corridor comes to fruition, goods traveling between Asia and Europe would be transferred through Syria and Jordan to Turkey, bypassing Israeli-controlled territories or reliance on the port of Haifa. The media outlet suggests that such a shift could undermine Israel’s position in the regional transit network.
The report adds that in recent days, the transport ministers of Turkey and Saudi Arabia have signed memorandums of understanding regarding cooperation in railway and logistics sectors. The competition between these two projects reflects a broader rivalry over determining strategic land routes and economic influence in the region.
