Μake us preferred on Google The verdict delivered by Israeli voters in the October 27 election is, as far as Greece is concerned, “strictly an internal matter” on which, naturally, there is no room for official comment.
Athens’ interest in Israel’s future political landscape, however, is considerable, reflecting the depth of the strategic relationship between the two countries across a series of critical areas, including defense, energy and security.
For the time being, the fact that Benjamin Netanyahu remains in office as interim prime minister is reassuring for the Greek side. Although he has secured the largest number of seats, he does not have the parliamentary majority required to form a government.
The outlook for Greek-Turkish relations is currently uncertain, with Athens awaiting both legislation concerning Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine — Ankara’s expansive vision of its maritime interests — and the resumption of survey work for the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnection.
Against that backdrop, the fact that there has, for now, been no change in the person “at the other end of the line” is certainly not regarded as a negative development, given the significant role Israel plays in Greece’s security calculations.
Looking ahead, however, the Greek side has repeatedly made clear that when it comes to Israel, individual “personalities” are not what matters. The bilateral strategic relationship is built with the State of Israel itself, rather than with whichever government happens to be in power.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently made that point when responding to criticism of Greece’s strategic alignment with Israel at a time when the Israeli prime minister has faced intense criticism over Gaza.
“Greece’s strategic relationship is with the State of Israel, not necessarily with the current government,” Mitsotakis said.
Pointing out that the Greece-Israel relationship “has not come at the expense of the very strong ties our country has with the Arab world, with the Palestinian Authority,” Mitsotakis also stressed that it has not prevented Greece “from speaking openly and criticizing the Israeli government when it crosses the line.”
How Israel’s political situation develops, and how strong its leadership will be once the prescribed political procedures have been completed, is nevertheless a matter of crucial importance for Greece.
Against a backdrop of broader geopolitical instability and a series of elections already reshaping the international political landscape in ways whose full implications remain unclear, Athens considers it essential that whoever ultimately leads the Israeli government heads a strong administration capable of managing both bilateral and regional affairs, not least the unpredictable factor of Ankara.
At a time when the previously “calm waters” in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean have grown rougher, as the region’s energy map is being redrawn and new maritime-zone agreements are being negotiated, Greece considers it important — as it also moves toward its own elections — to have a strong leader in allied Israel who can help preserve regional balances.
Beyond their bilateral relationship, Athens also views Israel as an important partner in its trilateral cooperation with Cyprus, including as a counterbalancing factor in relation to Turkey.
Israel is also one of the four participants in the “3+1” cooperation framework — bringing Greece, Cyprus and Israel together with the United States — which is considered crucial for Greece. The involvement of the U.S. is particularly significant for advancing energy and other projects, as well as for Greece’s growing role in the wider region as a pillar of stability and a hub for energy security.
