Η προσέγγιση Ελλάδας Ισραήλ

Israel and Greece Strategic Cooperation

The recent official state visit to Greece by Israel Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon signified a drastic upturn in the relationship between Greece and Israel. And while neither Israel nor Greece considers Turkey officially as an enemy state, clearly the deterioration in the relationship between Ankara and Jerusalem provided the impetus for the tightening of relations between Greece and Israel.
There is a universally accepted maxim in the Middle East: “Your enemy’s enemy is your friend.” For Israel that friend used to be Turkey – whose enemies were the Arabs.  As Turkey Islamized under Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it turned against Israel.  As for the Greeks, the Turks have been their perennial enemies, albeit, they are both NATO members.  The island of Cyprus, invaded by Turkey in 1974, was subsequently split between the Greeks and Turks and is a constant source of friction.  Greece has supported the Greek majority in the south of the island, while Turkey supports the Turkish minority in the northern part of the island. It is under these circumstances that Israel and Greece have finally found common ground, and mutual interest in a strategic alliance.

Greece Joins Israel-USA Military Exercise in Southern Mediterranean

Greece is participating for the second time in a large-scale aeronautical military exercise called «Noble Dina 2012» organized by Israel and the U.S. The exercise  is already underway in the area of the eastern Mediterranean and is expected to be concluded on April 5. Part of the exercise is conducted in the region south of Kastelorizo and south of Cyprus up to Israel’s territorial waters, an area of ​​particular interest for Greece and Cyprus. The military operation scenarios emphasize on  anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations,  prohibition of military aircraft operations and SAR/CSAR operations according to exercise scenarios provided by Israel. This is the only such activity since the «Reliant Mermaid» exercise which involved  SAR / CSAR operations at the time of the Turkish-Israeli approach that is now suspended.

The Greek side participates in the exercise with a frigate, a submarine and F-16 Block 52 + aircraft. Greece  was unable to provide a  maritime patrol aircraft,  because it does not have one at the time.  Last year, an attempt was made to use a C-130 in that role, an attempt that apparently was not very successful so this year the Greek side did not provide any aircraft.

 Source: ptisidiastima.wordpress.com

The Israeli Community in Greece Supports the Greek Movement, Macedonia is Greece

PM Netanyahu's Christmas Greetings 2011

Israel hosts Greek Air Force for joint excercise

In recent effort to strengthen cooperation with NATO allies, Israel has been carrying out large-scale drills in foreign skies, as well as hosting foreign air forces to train in its training facilities.

 Israel hosted Greece’s Hellenic Air Force for a joint exercise approximately three weeks ago at the Uvda base in southern Israel. The Greeks sent five F-16 block 52 fighter jets for a five-day exercise, which included practice air fights as well as ground attacks. A group of Israeli F-15 and F-16 fighter jets also participated in the exercise, along with Boeing fuel supplier airplanes.

In contrast with previous IAF exercises which took place in Greece, November’s drill was not publicized by the IDF Spokesperson, although pictures of the drill were still uploaded to the Hellenic Air Force web site.

	Joint Israeli and Greek air force exercise at Uvda base, Israel, in Nov. 2011.
	Photo by: Greek Air Force

In a recent effort to strengthen its cooperation with NATO allies, Israel has been carrying out large-scale drills in foreign skies, as well as hosting foreign air forces to train in its training facilities. The Italian Air Force is slated to arrive in southern Israel for its own training in the next few days.

Joint Israeli and Greek air force exercise at Uvda base, Israel, in Nov. 2011.Greek Air Force

 

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-hosts-greek-air-force-for-joint-excercise-1.401009

ISRAEL AND GREECE: A FRIENDSHIP WITH BENEFITS

ISRAEL AND GREECE: A FRIENDSHIP WITH BENEFITS

Hayim Iserovich (Foreign Affairs Editor, nrg maariv. Israel) The announcement of the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou that his country will help Israel to get closer to the European Union was another indication to the growing relationship between the two states. After years of suspicion and distrust, Jerusalem and Athens are building rapidly a strategic partnership, which will reach a new height when the two governments will hold a joint meeting in April. Neither Israel nor Greece define Turkey as an enemy, but the deterioration in the relations between Israel and Turkey since operation "Cast Lead" in December 2008-January 2009 brought Jerusalem closer to Athens, the long time rival of Ankara, and laid the foundations for the new relationship.  Israel can benefit a lot from the relationship with Greece. The first dimension is the civilian cooperation. After the fire broke out on the Carmel Mountain, the Greek government reacted fast and sent some of its planes to help extinguish the flames. The experience of Greece with large-scale fires and the experience of the rescue teams of the Israeli army (IDF) can be the basis for a broader cooperation in events of natural disasters, which could be expanded later to other countries. Israel can also benefit from the security cooperation with Athens. Greece is located farther then turkey and this enables the Israeli pilots an opportunity to exercise long range flights, as was demonstrated a few months ago when the two air forces conducted a joint maneuvers. Both countries can also share their experience in the fight against terror. The last few months showed the return of the anarchist terrorism to the streets of Athens and there is information that pro-Iranian and pro-Hizbollah activists are operating in Greece. Intelligence sharing and joint cooperation between the police forces can help dealing with those threats. Before the 2004 Olympic Games, Israeli consultants helped the Greek security services to prepare for scenarios of terror attacks. There is no reason why this kind of cooperation would not renew. The political aspect is also very important for Israel. Greece has a long relationship with the Arab world, and especially with the Palestinians, and that can be used as channels of communications in order to reactive the peace process between Israel and its neighbors. Moreover, when there is a distressing process inside Europe of de-legitimating the Jewish state, Israel needs an ally like Greece when it tries to highlight it right to live in peace and security and defend its population from outside threats in a volatile region. The Israeli tourists can benefit from the opportunities for vacation in Greece, which definitely provide an alternative to Turkey. Ancient sites, long beaches, clubs and picturesque villages can attract the Israelis, who known for their love to Greek music. All the above are only a few examples of the vast potential for the Israeli-Greek relations. Of course, there can be some disagreements and arguments, but as the last two years have shown – there is a mutual will to strengthen the cooperation and there is a great hope that the relationship will continue to blossom in the future for the benefits of both countries.