Against the backdrop of the global diplomatic storm against Israel following the renewed fighting in Gaza, voices on the Greek left are also calling to scale back the country’s strategic partnership with Israel, particularly in the fields of security, economy and energy.
However, the results of a recent survey, while not scientific, suggest that while a vocal minority on the Greek left has tried to amplify pro-Palestinian positions, sometimes with media backing, most Greeks side with the center-right government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which has championed closer ties with Israel in defense and diplomacy.
The online survey, conducted by the Greek news site News Break, examined public support for maintaining the strategic partnership.
The question was phrased unambiguously: Do you agree with continuing the strategic partnership between Greece and Israel?
Seventy-seven percent answered yes, calling Israel a natural ally of Greece. Just 21% opposed the partnership, citing Israel’s alleged violations of international law in Gaza. Another 2% said they had no opinion. A total of 5,616 people participated.
The partnership is also seen in Athens as a counterweight to Turkey, regarded by many Greeks as the country’s biggest threat.
Originally published by Israel Hayom.
