Turkish-Saudi trade corridor raises concerns in Israel, local media reports
Turkey and Saudi Arabia are promoting a proposed overland trade and transport corridor linking the Gulf region to Europe through Syria and Jordan, a project that would bypass Israel and compete with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
The newspaper said the proposed route would allow goods to move between Asia and Europe via Syrian and Jordanian territory before reaching Turkey, reducing reliance on Israeli infrastructure, including the port of Haifa.
According to the report, Israeli officials view the initiative as a potential challenge to IMEC, a trade corridor backed by Israel and its international partners as a key route connecting Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Smoke billows from Trans-Israel pipeline oil facility in Ashkelon as rockets are fired from Gaza towards Israel, 11 May 2021 (Jack Guez/AFP)