Greece–Palestine relations

Greece-Palestine relations
Map indicating locations of Greece and Palestine

Greece
Palestine

Greece–Palestine relations are bilateral relations between the Hellenic Republic and the State of Palestine. Due to the historical ties between the two countries, Greece and Palestine today enjoy excellent diplomatic relations.[1][2] Palestine has a representative office in Athens and Greece's consulate general in Jerusalem is accredited to Palestine. The two countries are members of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum.

History

During the 60s-90s (peaking during the 70s), Palestinian organisations carried out a wave of terrorist attacks in Greece. In 1981 Greece established diplomatic relations with the PLO, but maintained relations with Israel at only the consular level until Greece's formal recognition of Israel in 1990 under Mitsotakis.[3] Since the formation of current foreign policy under George Papandreou and especially under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece has seen a rapid improvement in relations with Israel,[4] following the deterioration of Israel's relations with Turkey caused by the Gaza flotilla raid.[5] During the 2024 Jaffa shooting, Hamas gunmen killed several people including a Greek citizen.[6] The Greek Foreign Ministry condemned the attack. [7]

In 2001, there were 4,000 Palestinians residing in Greece.[8]

Diplomatic recognition

Greece has not fully formalized its relations with Palestine due to many geopolitical disputes, despite the pledges of then-Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras who is a member of the left-wing Syriza Party known for its support for the Palestinian cause, to make such changes.[citation needed]

In December 2015, the Hellenic parliament voted unanimously in the presence of President Mahmoud Abbas to recommend to the government the full recognition of the state of Palestine on 4 June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.[9][10]

Palestinian question

President Karolos Papoulias has stated that Greece ultimately supports the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.[11] Under previous governments, Greece garnered a reputation as a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.[12] Within the wider Arab–Israeli conflict, Andreas Papandreou maintained a stronger stand against Israel than any other government in the European Community.[13]

On 15 May 2023, 41 municipalities in Greece raised the Palestinian flag on their buildings in solidarity with the Palestinian people marking the 75th Anniversary of the Nakba.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Greek-Palestinian Relations". Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Greece has historical ties of friendship and solidarity with the Palestinian people, Ambassador Toubassi says". Athens-Macedonian News Agency. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  3. ^ Kaminaris, S.C. (June 1999). "Greece and the Middle East". Middle East Review of International Affairs. 3 (2). Rubin, Barry; Global Research in International Affairs. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  4. ^ Marcus, Jonathan (16 October 2010). "Israel woos Greece after rift with Turkey". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  5. ^ Psaropoulos, John. "Once pro-Palestinian, Greece is now one of Israel's closest European allies". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Greek citizen killed in Jaffa terror shooting attack, says Athens". The Times of Israel. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Ιωνάς Καρούσης: Γιος γνωστού γιατρού από τη Θεσσαλονίκη ο νεκρός Έλληνας στο Τελ Αβίβ". tovima.gr. 2 October 2024. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Palestinian Diaspora Europe 2005" (PDF). rsc.ox.ac.uk. 15 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Greek parliament votes unanimously to recognise Palestine". Middle East Eye édition française.
  10. ^ "Greek Parliament Recognizes Palestinian State in Symbolic Vote". Wall Street Journal. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  11. ^ Karaviti, F. (13 July 2011). "Papoulias visit to Palestinian Authority". Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English. No. 3836. Hellenic Resources Network. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  12. ^ Government of Israel. "Introduction". Greece's Relations with Israel, 1961–1967. Documents on the Foreign Policy of Israel. Israel State Archives. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  13. ^ Athanasiadis, Iason (31 January 2011). "A Mediterranean Battlefield". Al Majalla. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  14. ^ Khoury, Najla (15 May 2023). "41 Greek Municipalities Raise The Palestinian Flag On Their Headquarters On The Nakba 75th Anniversary". Syria Times.