The case for Greek-Israeli friendship

GREEKS have always had strong cultural ties with the Jews, even stronger perhaps than the ones with the Arab world.

From the Jews of Thessaloniki to the likes of Greek singers George Dalaras, Glykeria and Haris Alexiou performing to capacity audiences in cities across Israel, the links - which stretch all the way back to antiquity - between the two nations are undeniable.

There were Greek Jews before there were ever Greek Christians. And Israel is perhaps the only country apart from Greece and Cyprus that appreciates rembetika (Greece’s answer to the blues)

But, strangely enough, these cultural ties were never matched by corresponding political relations between the states of Greece and Israel. If anything, relations have been cold at best. Greece’s sympathy for the Palestinians and dislike of Israel’s alliance with Turkey were always huge stumbling blocks to building closer diplomatic ties. This all seems to be changing now that relations between Turkey and Israel appear to be deteriorating drastically and the discovery of gas deposits off the shores of Israel and Cyprus (Greece’s closest ally) are bringing the two nations closer on the basis of mutual interests.

Tourists from Israel to Greece have more than doubled since last year and cooperation between the militaries of both countries has been boosted. Benjamin Netanyahu’s historic visit to Greece last August was the first by an Israeli prime minister.

Contrary to the situation with Turkey, where Islamists have always opposed the alliance with Israel, in Greece there is bipartisan support for stronger ties with Israel.

Even the far right, long known for its anti-Semitic sentiments, backs friendship with Israel - albeit on a different, if not outdated, premise. Laos leader Yiorgos Karatzaferis - branded an anti-Semite by human rights groups - recently said in an impassioned speech that “the enemy (Israel) of my enemy (Turkey) is my friend”.

Both sides have a lot to gain. Israel is increasingly feeling isolated in the region. The rise of Iran as a regional power ever since the vacuum created by the US-led invasion of Iraq and the drastic deterioration of ties with Turkey have left Israel appearing more vulnerable than ever. The uprising in Egypt (possibly Israel’s largest Arab “friend”) has given Israel the jitters as the outcome may lead to yet another hostile government in the region.

Its only outlet is the Mediterranean Sea, its link to the Europe and the West. Given this fact, the role of Athens and Nicosia as Israel’s lifeline to Europe is crucial. The construction of an undersea pipeline connecting Israel’s Leviathan natural gas field to Cyprus and, eventually, from there to Greece also appears to be on the cards.

Jewish American lobbyists - on an official visit to Greece - have already made their intentions clear. Just a few months ago, Greek and Jewish lobbies - in yet another indication that the tide is turning - worked together in Washington to push a House resolution urging for the protection of Greek Orthodox sites in Turkish-occupied Cyprus.

The tiny Republic of Cyprus also stands to gain from the Greek-Israeli improvement. It’s one thing to deal with Turkey on its own and another to do it with the backing of Israel. The Israelis have repeatedly made it clear that Turkey has no right to intervene or object to its bilateral deals with Cyprus concerning the exploitation of gas deposits in their respective exclusive economic zones.

This is probably the first time the island republic has had firm support from a country in the region other than Greece in its dealings with Turkey.

The road that Prime Minister George Papandreou wants to take to turn Greece into a regional player could lead through Israel. His intended visit to Cairo during the uprising is an indication of how he perceives Greece’s role in the region. Striking a delicate balance between improved ties with Israel and maintaining the invaluable relationship with the Arab world will be a foreign policy challenge in the years to come. But if it can pull it off, Greece could play a substantial part in bridging the gap between East and West and, by extension, contribute to lasting stability in the region.