Following his visit to Ramallah, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Sokratis Famelos called for immediate international action to end the violence in Gaza and revive efforts toward a resolution of the Palestinian issue. He strongly criticised Israel for violating international law and accused the Greek government of being absent from key diplomatic developments. He also took aim at the government’s failure to implement disaster prevention measures after tragedies like Mati and Tempe, while commenting on internal developments within SYRIZA, insisting, "We are the voice of justice and society."

Speaking to ERT, Famelos described his meeting with Palestinian officials in Ramallah, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. “We’re seeing extreme blockade and famine, with tens of thousands of civilian deaths, many of them children,” he said, stressing the urgent need for a global dialogue on resolving the conflict.

“The bloodshed must stop now. What’s happening is a genocide unfolding in the most tragic of ways,” Famelos stated. He underscored the need for immediate and unrestricted humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. “A humanitarian corridor must be opened without delay,” he urged.

He accused Israel of blatantly violating international law by blocking aid from reaching the Palestinian enclave. He also criticised the Mitsotakis government for its lack of involvement in ongoing international peace efforts.

SYRIZA’s support of the two-state solution

Famelos also revealed that, during his meetings in Ramallah, the issue of the hostages taken on 7 October was discussed “as part of a broader solution.” He reiterated SYRIZA’s support for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. “This was also the spirit I sensed in my meeting with the Patriarch of Jerusalem,” he noted.

As part of possible Greek diplomatic initiatives, he proposed an international conference on the Eastern Mediterranean, involving the EU and regional powers. He also suggested inviting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to speak in the Hellenic Parliament, adding that the Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister responded positively to the idea.

Famelos slams government over delays and failures at home

Turning to domestic affairs, Famelos criticised the government for delays in implementing crucial reforms following the Mati wildfire disaster, saying:

“We need to take decisive steps to ensure another incident like Mati doesn’t happen – just as we must prevent another Tempe-like disaster.”

He questioned whether the official inquiry into wildfires had led to concrete action and whether the land registry project had been completed.

“We handed over the 112 emergency alert system ready to use,” he reminded, accusing the government of focusing on public relations rather than solving real problems. “This is not a government of the competent,” he said pointedly.

On the Tempe rail tragedy and the ongoing parliamentary inquiry, Famelos claimed SYRIZA has presented the most comprehensive and substantiated proposal.

“From the start, SYRIZA called for full accountability – no matter how high up the blame lies. If political responsibility isn’t examined in Parliament, it won’t be examined anywhere,” he argued.

Addressing tensions within the party, he mentioned that with Stefanos Kasselakis’s support, SYRIZA would have reached the 30-MP threshold needed for its proposal. Still, he emphasised the party’s unity on key positions:

“We are the voice of justice and of society.”

Regarding Alexis Tsipras, he said the former leader’s recent comments had been misrepresented. “He didn’t say SYRIZA no longer exists – he said there’s no clear alternative proposal at the moment. That’s a call for self-improvement.” Famelos described their relationship as one of close collaboration and called Tsipras “a valuable asset for the country.”

Finally, he criticised parts of the media for distorting the public conversation and steering attention away from the heart of the Tempe case.

______________________________________________

Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Don’t let Greek progressive voices fade.

Make sure to reference “TPP International” and your order number as the reason for payment.