Opposition parties in Greece are intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to align the country with growing international condemnation of Israel’s military actions.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis has shown strong support for Israel throughout the ongoing war in Gaza, even as public opinion remains divided. But as Israeli bombardment of the enclave continues, as well as an almost complete blockade which threatens over half a million people with famine, it seems the Greek opposition parties are starting to rebuke this position more and more.
Following a joint declaration by the UK, France, and Canada demanding an end to Israeli military operations and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, PASOK spokesperson Dimitris Mantzios urged the Greek government to “find its voice” and condemn Israel.
PASOK’s leader Nikos Androulakis also escalated his criticism, stating in a radio interview Wednesday morning that “Netanyahu should be brought to the International Court of Justice in The Hague” and calling the situation in Gaza “ethnic cleansing.” According to Androulakis, “the Greek government’s stance was an insult to the Greek people” for refusing to support a Netherlands-led EU initiative to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement tabled Tuesday.
Despite holding the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for May, Mitsotakis has avoided publicly condemning Israel’s actions. During a March visit to Israel, he made no public mention of Gaza, though a government readout claimed he raised the issue in private talks.
Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis stated in an interview Wednesday that he “cannot really tolerate what is happening now in the Middle East,” referring to the Palestinian death toll and supporting humanitarian aid and a ceasefire. However, he refrained from endorsing tougher EU measures against Israel, citing Greece’s role as a potential “honest broker.”
Opposition leaders dismissed this stance as insufficient. New Left leader Alexis Charitsis called on Mitsotakis to cut all trade and military ties with Israel, asserting that “as long as you do not take a stand, you are complicit in their murder. An accomplice to genocide,” according to a social media post.
SYRIZA-PS leader Socrates Famellos demanded that Greece join 24 other EU nations in condemning Israeli actions. “Mr. Mitsotakis, we do not allow you to legalize the crime that is being committed in Gaza. Not in our name,” he stated.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) echoed these sentiments. Secretary General Dimitris Koutsoubas condemned Israeli “barbarity” and accused the Greek government of being “permanently on the wrong side of history,” according to a question submitted to Parliament.
Public opinion in also out of sync with the government’s position. Polls indicate Greek sympathy for Palestinians and widespread disapproval of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Greek state has shifted from traditionally pro-Palestinian stance to becoming a close ally of Israel in the last decades. This change began around 2010, driven by Greece’s financial crisis, energy interests, and the breakdown of Israel-Turkey relations. Greece now cooperates with Israel on defense, cybersecurity, and energy projects like the EastMed gas pipeline. Meanwhile, Turkey’s support for Hamas has deepened the regional divide, placing Greece and Turkey on opposite sides of the conflict.
