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Balkan Insight (4 September 2026)

Roy Aloni

Countries across the Balkan region have increasingly been doing arms deals with Israel and purchasing its military technology – while strengthening political ties too.

In recent years, Israel has faced growing international criticism over its conduct in Gaza and its policies and practices throughout the occupied Palestinian territories - and mounting calls for an arms embargo. Several countries have imposed full or partial restrictions on arms trading with Israel, while the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has received growing support for its campaigns across Europe and beyond.

Yet military ties between Israel and countries across the Balkans have continued to deepen. Greece is one of Israel’s closest military partners in the region, maintaining extensive cooperation and signing several major deals in recent years - most recently to buy an expensive air defence network. But cooperation has extended beyond Athens, with Israeli defence companies expanding their presence around the region through arms sales, joint ventures and technology partnerships.

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