Greece has transformed itself from a historically pro-Palestinian nation into one of Israel’s closest European allies. The two countries now share common interests, including energy ambitions and defense partnerships, while also holding a shared mistrust of Turkey. This dramatic shift in foreign policy is not without controversy, as it appears to contradict the sentiments of a majority of the Greek population.
Energy Ambitions and Defense Partnerships
Greece’s Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, declared his unwavering support for Israel during his recent visit to Tel Aviv. He expressed Greece’s stance on the right of Israel to defend itself in line with international law, underlining the significant shift in their bilateral relations. This newfound alliance is driven by a convergence of interests in energy and defense.
Unlike the pro-Palestinian stance that was dominant during the Cold War, Greece now actively supports Israel’s strategic endeavors. Their official foreign policy stands in stark contrast to their historical position when Greek-owned tankers relied on good relations with the Arab world, which had a significant impact on their economy. In those days, Greece prioritized acquiring UN votes in favor of its stance on the Cyprus issue over close ties with Israel.
Public Opinion Clash with Government Policy
While the Greek government has aligned itself with Israel, public opinion in Greece leans heavily toward neutrality in the ongoing conflict. Recent opinion polls revealed that two-thirds of Greeks favor staying neutral, with only 18.4% supporting a pro-Israel position. Furthermore, 11.5% of respondents expressed a preference for Greece to openly support the Palestinian cause.
Greece’s abstention from a UN General Assembly vote, which called for an immediate humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas, on October 27, was a stark departure from the positions of several other European nations. This decision raised concerns among the opposition, with Dimitris Papadimoulis, a European Parliament member from the Syriza party, urging for a more balanced approach that maintains good relations with the Arab world while facilitating a solution for the Palestinians.
The Evolving Relationship with Israel
Greece’s transformation from pro-Palestinian to pro-Israel is a remarkable historical change. It was during the Cold War that Greece actively supported the Palestinian cause, even providing safe harbor to Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization, when he needed refuge. Pro-Palestinian sentiment was fueled not only by ideological alignment but also by economic interests tied to the Arab world and the Cyprus issue.
However, significant developments over the past few decades have reshaped Greece’s foreign policy. The breakdown of Turkish-Israeli relations, in part due to the Israeli commando attack on a Turkish flotilla carrying humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians, prompted Greece to fill the void and foster a closer relationship with Israel. This was seen as a gateway to the European Union for Israel and a strategy that has been in the works for nearly 15 years.
Israel’s role in helping Greece during its economic crisis in 2010 further solidified their ties. Greece’s support for Israel allowed it to draw closer to the United States, and they became part of a growing energy partnership involving the export of Israeli gas to Europe. Greece and Israel also established strong defense partnerships, including the purchase of defense systems and joint flight training centers.
In contrast, Turkey has moved in the opposite direction, offering support to Hamas and expressing views contrary to those held by Greece and its allies. This has led to a significant divergence in their foreign policy positions during the Gaza conflict.
Greece’s evolving relationship with Israel represents a remarkable departure from its historical foreign policy and showcases the complexities of modern geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean.
