Exclusive: Riyadh Wants to Replace Israel with Syria for Greece Fibre-Optic Cable Route

Saudi Arabia is pushing for a major revision to a planned undersea fibre-optic cable linking the Middle East with Europe, seeking to reroute the project through Syria instead of Israel, according to regional officials and industry sources familiar with the negotiations. The proposal would connect the cable to Greece, offering a shorter and potentially cheaper digital corridor between Asia and Europe.
The project, backed by Saudi investment and supported by several Gulf and European telecom operators, is designed to strengthen data connectivity between the Middle East and Europe while reducing reliance on congested routes through the Red Sea and Egypt. However, Riyadh’s push to bypass Israel reflects broader geopolitical calculations as well as technical and regulatory concerns.
Strategic Shift in Routing
Under earlier plans, the cable would have passed from the Gulf through Israel and then onward to the Mediterranean before reaching Greece. Saudi officials now argue that routing through Syria would provide greater political control over infrastructure and avoid dependence on a country with which Riyadh does not maintain formal diplomatic relations.
A senior regional official said the change was driven by “sovereignty and security considerations” rather than purely commercial factors. “Saudi Arabia wants to ensure that critical digital infrastructure remains under friendly and cooperative jurisdictions,” the official noted.
The revised route would cross Saudi territory, enter Syria via Jordan or Iraq, and then continue under the Mediterranean Sea to Greece. Engineers say the route is technically feasible, though it would require new landing stations and regulatory approvals from Damascus and European partners.
Syria’s Return to Regional Projects
For Syria, the proposal could represent a major economic opportunity and a symbolic step toward reintegration into regional infrastructure networks after years of isolation due to civil war and international sanctions. Syrian authorities have reportedly welcomed the idea, viewing it as a way to generate transit revenue and rebuild damaged telecommunications systems.
Telecom analysts say Syria’s geographic position makes it a natural bridge between the Gulf and Europe. “From a purely technical standpoint, Syria offers one of the shortest land corridors to the Mediterranean,” said a regional infrastructure consultant. “The challenge is political risk and long-term stability.”
Israel Factor and Regional Politics
Israel had been considered a strong candidate for the original route because of its advanced telecom infrastructure and proximity to Europe. But Saudi officials are reluctant to rely on Israeli territory for a project they view as strategically sensitive.
Although Saudi Arabia and Israel have cooperated indirectly in security matters, formal diplomatic ties have not been established. The rerouting effort comes amid renewed tensions in the region and shifting alliances following the Gaza war and broader instability in the Middle East.
An Israeli industry source said the proposal, if implemented, would be “a missed opportunity for regional digital integration.” “Israel has the infrastructure and experience to handle such a project efficiently,” the source said, adding that excluding Israel could increase both cost and risk.
European and Commercial Concerns
European partners, including Greek authorities, are said to be cautiously evaluating the Saudi proposal. Greece sees the project as a way to strengthen its role as a digital gateway between Europe and the Middle East, but officials are concerned about the regulatory and security implications of routing through Syria.
Brussels has not publicly commented, but diplomats note that European Union sanctions on Syria could complicate financing and insurance for the project. Private telecom companies involved in the consortium are reportedly pressing for guarantees that the route will not expose them to legal or reputational risks.
One executive involved in the talks said the consortium is studying multiple options. “We are balancing geopolitics, engineering feasibility, and long-term reliability. This is not just about laying a cable; it’s about creating a stable digital highway for decades.”
Saudi Digital Ambitions
The fibre-optic project is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to become a global data and technology hub under its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. Riyadh has invested heavily in data centers, cloud services, and international connectivity to attract tech firms and financial institutions.
Officials argue that controlling major data routes will enhance national security and reduce dependence on traditional chokepoints such as the Suez Canal. Recent disruptions to Red Sea cables caused by maritime incidents have reinforced Saudi concerns about vulnerability.
“Digital infrastructure is now as important as oil pipelines,” said a Saudi technology policy adviser. “Whoever controls the routes controls the future of data trade.”
Uncertain Outcome
Negotiations over the route are still at an early stage, and no final decision has been made. Industry insiders say pressure from European regulators and commercial partners could yet restore Israel to the plan or result in a hybrid solution with multiple landing points.
For now, Riyadh’s push to replace Israel with Syria underscores how geopolitics is reshaping even the most technical infrastructure projects. What was once an engineering decision has become a diplomatic balancing act involving regional rivalries, post-war reconstruction, and Europe’s digital security.
As one Western diplomat observed, “This cable is not just about faster internet. It’s about influence, trust, and who sits at the crossroads of tomorrow’s data economy.”