When war erupted between Israel and Iran, one of the Israeli government’s first decisions was to close Ben Gurion Airport and shut down its airspace to all incoming and outgoing flights. This unprecedented move left an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 Israelis stranded abroad, with no clear path home.
This alliance has proven its worth not just in military or diplomatic terms, but also in humanitarian and logistical ones.
Among the five destinations designated by Israeli authorities to serve as temporary hubs for civilians and coordination efforts alongside the United States, Thailand, and Italy, where there are large numbers of Israelis, two stood out for their geographic proximity and deep political significance: Greece and Cyprus. The decision to concentrate Israeli citizens in these two Eastern Mediterranean democracies was no coincidence. It was a powerful demonstration of the strategic alliance that has been steadily built over the past decade among Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and the United States, known as the “3+1" framework.
What began as a pragmatic cooperation over natural gas discoveries has evolved into a robust and reliable alliance encompassing defense, infrastructure, and regional security. Today, the 3+1 partnership has become a pillar of stability in one of the world’s most volatile regions.
This alliance has proven its worth not just in military or diplomatic terms, but also in humanitarian and logistical ones. In the chaotic early days of the war, Greek and Cypriot authorities worked closely with Israeli officials to support the thousands of Israelis who found themselves unable to return home. Security forces in both countries patrolled hotels, synagogues, and areas where Israeli citizens were concentrated. Their efforts provided a safe haven at a time of heightened global antisemitism and rising threats against Jews and Israelis worldwide.
Cyprus and Greece are more than just friends: They are Israel’s strategic partners
Cyprus and Greece are more than just friends; they are strategic partners. Their geographic closeness allows efficient bilateral transfers: returning Israelis home while assisting in the departure of foreign nationals and diplomats from Israel. The partnership also enabled the rapid opening of a maritime corridor, easing bottlenecks created by the shutdown of Israel’s main airport. This level of coordination between militaries, governments, and law enforcement required not only technical expertise but deep mutual trust.
Formalizing the 3+1 alliance would institutionalize the kind of coordination we have witnessed in recent days, ensuring it endures regardless of political changes in Washington, Athens, Nicosia, or Jerusalem.
Just yesterday, Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced the launch of “Operation Safe Return,” in coordination with the IDF, to fly thousands of stranded Israelis back home on military aircraft. These efforts, which involve military airlifts and sea transport in collaboration with Greek and Cypriot ports, reflect the operational strength of a strategic alliance that is no longer optional—it is essential.
The recent introduction of the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act in the US Congress underscores this reality. Introduced by Reps. Brad Schneider, Gus Bilirakis, Nicole Malliotakis, Dina Titus, and Chris Pappas, this bipartisan legislation calls for elevating the Eastern Mediterranean in U.S. foreign policy. It strengthens ties with regional partners: Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt, and supports energy projects, cross-border infrastructure, and regional innovation. The bill also promotes the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), by fostering transparent, sustainable development and enhanced strategic connectivity.
Formalizing the 3+1 alliance would institutionalize the kind of coordination we have witnessed in recent days, ensuring it endures regardless of political changes in Washington, Athens, Nicosia, or Jerusalem. In a world where alliances are being tested and regional instability is the norm, this partnership stands as a model of democratic cooperation based on shared values and strategic necessity.
The stakes are high. The war is ongoing. And yet one thing is clear: in moments of crisis, Israel’s strongest allies in the Eastern Mediterranean have stepped up—not only with words, but with action. It is time to recognize, solidify, and expand this alliance for the sake of regional stability and the security of future generations.
Published originally on June 17, 2025.
