Greek PM Mitsotakis met with Israel’s internationally wanted PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, to discuss expanding military and economic cooperation.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

“Welcome Prime Minister Mitsotakis, my good friend Kyriakos. This is two blue and whites that meet. We’re two ancient peoples. Our free civilizations started in Athens and Jerusalem. They have common values, and we share a common interest today and also common challenges. I think that we face many opportunities, I look forward to discussing them with you,” said Netanyahu at the start of the meeting.

“You are changing Greece’s economy. We went through a similar process. Our ties are constantly increasing. I know of many Israelis that are going to Greece, investing in Greece, which is a vote of confidence. I look forward to having this opportunity to discuss the security challenges, the economic opportunities and the ways that we can increase the chances for a lasting peace in our region, something that I know that you want,” he added.

“So, from one democracy in the Eastern Mediterranean to another democracy in the Eastern Mediterranean, welcome friend,” concluded Netanyahu, who is a target of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis:

“Thank you, Prime Minister. Always a pleasure to be here and to discuss with you. This is a strategic partnership that has significant depth, as you pointed out, and many security challenges that we need to address in order to return our common region to a state of peace,” responded Mitsotakis.

“I want to focus also on our economic cooperation, but also on our defense cooperation, which is particularly important to us in Greece. So I’m really looking forward to the discussion that we will have. We always have very frank and open interactions and thank you so much for receiving me in Jerusalem today,” he added.

According to ERT, Mitsotakis also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, officials from Israel’s Ministry of Defence, and senior executives of the Israeli defence industry. The meetings reviewed the strong existing cooperation between the two countries and explored prospects for further expansion.

Opposition in Greece reacts

SYRIZA: “An outrageously provocative move”

“By visiting Jerusalem amid the collapse of the ceasefire and the resumption of Israeli attacks, Mr Mitsotakis disregards the genocide in Gaza and fails to meet with the Palestinian side, undermining Greece’s role as a stabilising force—a position we had traditionally upheld. Instead, the purely bilateral nature of his visit effectively endorses Netanyahu’s policies,” stated SYRIZA in an official announcement, describing the visit as “an outrageously provocative move.”

“The government must immediately formulate a serious and responsible policy on the Palestinian issue, working towards a new ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and the resumption of negotiations for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders,” the statement continued.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE): “No meetings or deals with war criminals! Solidarity with the Palestinian people!”

The KKE released an online poster condemning Mitsotakis’ visit to Israel and his meeting with Netanyahu, stating: “No meetings or deals with war criminals! Solidarity with the Palestinian people!”

“The butcher Netanyahu—against whom there is an active ICC arrest warrant for war crimes—hosted Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the murderous state of Israel today. No dealings with war criminals! Solidarity with the Palestinian people! History has a rightful side, and that side is with Palestine and its fight for freedom!” read the accompanying statement.

New Left: “Embracing a man accused of war crimes and responsible for the massacre in Gaza is both disgraceful and infuriating “

“Under Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece stands on the wrong side of history, complicit in its darkest chapters. His embrace of Netanyahu—the man accused of war crimes and responsible for the massacre in Gaza is both disgraceful and infuriating. This is a politically futile move,” said the press office of the New Left.

“Netanyahu has demonstrated that his key negotiations are with Turkey. What exactly does Greece gain from this meeting, apart from moral disgrace?” the party added.

A visit during the recovery of 14 Palestinian healthcare workers’ bodies in Gaza

Mitsotakis visited Israel while it intensified its deadly attacks on Gaza, resulting in over 900 deaths since it resumed military operations on 18 March. Just yesterday, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) recovered the bodies of 14 healthcare workers, a week after their vehicles were targeted by Israeli forces near Rafah in southern Gaza.

Overall, Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports at least 50,277 confirmed Palestinian deaths and 114,095 injuries in Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza. The Gaza Government Media Office recently revised the death toll to over 61,700, stating that thousands remain missing under the rubble and are presumed dead.

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