From Andreas Papandreou to Kyriakos Mitsotakis: how Greek politics went from slogans about a free Palestinee before contracts with Israel for drones and missiles Spike NLOS.
After the fall of the junta in 1974 Greece was busy restoring democracy and experiencing the trauma of Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The then Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis withdrew the country from NATO’s military wing in protest, while Middle Eastern affairs remained on the periphery.
The situation changed when a socialist came to power Andreas Papandreou and parties PASOK in 1981. His leader’s visit Yasser Arafat in Athens became a symbol of friendship with Palestine – office OOP received the status of a diplomatic mission. The West was perplexed, but Greece defiantly followed the “third way”, balancing between Arab world and Europe.
Papandreou defended the Palestinians’ right to statehood, but recognized the existence of Israel within its pre-1967 borders. His ministers Yiannis Charalambopoulos And Karolos Papoulias they sought to recognize PLO fighters not as terrorists, but as “liberation fighters.”
From cooling to rapprochement
In the 1980s, relations with Israel remained tense: Tel Aviv was selling weapons Turkeyand Athens defended the interests of the Orthodox patriarchate in Jerusalem. Everything changed in 1990, when Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis officially recognized the State of Israel, opening a new page of cooperation. But soon there was cooling again: Israel and Türkiye signed a military agreement, leaving Greece on the sidelines.
Flotilla and 2010 reversal
The key turning point came in 2010, when Israeli forces attacked Turkish “freedom flotilla” going to Gaza. After that Israel reconsidered relations with Turkey and found a new strategic partner – Greece. Athens by that time had a reputation as a mediator and member of the UN Security Council.
In August 2010 Benjamin Netanyahu became the first Israeli prime minister to visit Greece. His negotiations with Giorgos Papandreou marked the beginning of a new alliance: joint exercises, energy projects and the formation of an axis Greece–Cyprus–Israel. This is how the gas pipeline project came about EastMed.
From Syriza’s rhetoric to Mitsotakis’ drones
In 2015, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met with Mahmoud Abbas and publicly supported the two-state solution, but actually strengthened ties with Israel. Energy and defense have become a priority. After 2020, against the backdrop of aggression ErdoganGreece bets on Israeli technology: drones Heronanti-drone systems Drone Domerockets Spike NLOS.
Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis entered into agreements on cybersecurity and joint pilot training. Israel has become the supplier of key systems to protect the Aegean Sea.
After October 7: humanism without naivety
Attack Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 shocked Greek society, but the government’s position remained clear: humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians – yes, condemnation of terror – of course. Athens sent food supplies to Gaza, but remained in the western camp.
Today, Greece is not a romantic mediator, but a pragmatic ally of Israel, strengthening the defense shield of the Eastern Mediterranean. History has come full circle, but in the new world the old illusions no longer exist.
More Stories
US New Deal: Washington warns EU – “We are leaving. Get ready to defend yourself.”
Violence and exploitation of Ukrainian orphans in Turkey: what Elena Zelenskaya’s humanitarian project was hiding
Guns instead of pensions