Greek Prime Minister cancels visit to Israel due to security concerns

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, apparently impressed by the situation faced by his colleague Olaf Scholz* at Ben Gurion Airport, canceled his visit to Israel. The prime minister planned to visit Tel Aviv on Thursday.

However, on Saturday, October 21, 2023, Mitsotakis will take part in the International Summit on Palestinian Developments in Egypt.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister expressed his grief and horror at the Gaza hospital attack, saying there was a need for an immediate, thorough investigation into the incident.

He also emphasized that on Tuesday at the Council meeting EUwhich took place online, he presented the Greek position recognizing Israel’s right to self-defense, but always in compliance with international law, with the priority of protecting the civilian population of Gaza and providing humanitarian assistance.

Mitsotakis noted the importance of preventing the conflict from spreading and preventing further escalation that could threaten regional security and stability.

“It is also necessary to strengthen the internal security of the EU. It is clear that Greece, as the external border of our European family, has an additional responsibility to insist on a strict but fair policy for the protection of external borders, which we will do without compromise or concessions,” – said Mitsotakis.

The Greek Prime Minister said that he would travel to Israel as soon as possible and security conditions allow.

This will begin with his presence on Saturday in Cairo at the very important multilateral conference convened by Egypt on the Palestinian issue. “We are a power of solutions, we are the eastern frontier of Europe, but we are also the last western outpost of peace and stability.”Mitsotakis emphasized.

Meanwhile, a powerful rally was held in Athens in support of Palestine, in which about 10 thousand people took part. Its antipode gathered only 50 people. Read more in the publication: 2 rallies were held in Athens: in support of Palestine and in support of Israel.

*The incident during which the delegation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was forced to leave the plane before taking off from Tel Aviv to Cairo due to an air raid alarm was caught on video. Passengers were asked to lie down on the ground on the airfield, a moment that was captured by eyewitnesses.

Note that Scholz himself decided not to follow this recommendation. “The Chancellor did not lie on the asphalt, but ran to the nearest shelter. Before the shelter, he personally saw explosions in the sky when the Israeli Iron Dome intercepted two missiles,” German journalists report.

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