Greece Transitions from Pro-Palestinian to Significant Ally of Israel

Greece, a strong advocator for Palestinians in past decades, has begun to pivot considerably towards becoming a steadfast ally of Israel, largely due to defence partnerships, energy objectives, and a mutual wariness of Turkey's regional strategy.

The Prime Minister of Greece, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, demonstrated an unyielding support towards Israel during his recent visit to Tel Aviv, amid the escalating Middle East conflict, expressing solidarity with its right to defend itself. This comes as a significant change of stance, differing from Greece’s historical sympathy towards the Palestinian cause.

Recent polls aired by Star Channel suggest that approximately two-thirds of Greeks support neutrality in the ongoing war. Despite this, the Greek government, backed by right- and left-wing parties, maintains a marked shift away from its historically pro-Palestinian position.

Greece's foreign policy shift was significantly informed and influenced by numerous practical considerations. The Greek economy was on the brink of bankruptcy in 2010, and siding with Israel improved the prospects of U.S support. Additionally, the discovery of massive natural gas reserves at Leviathan by Israel sparked an interest in an energy partnership between the two countries.

In the wake of increased tensions with Turkey in 2020, Greece found a valuable partner in Israel's sophisticated defence industry. Cybersecurity cooperation protocols and an invitation for Israeli investors to establish bases in Greece signified the strengthening of Greece-Israel relations over the years. These moves were significantly contrasted with Turkey's move towards providing support to Hamas leaders.