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July 22, 2011
Greece and Israel talk
Papoulias meets with Peres on a first-ever visit.
EDGAR ASHER ISRANET
It is often said that the old adage “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” might fit very well in describing Greek-Israeli relations. However, there is no doubt that the deterioration in relations between Turkey and Israel over the Mavi Marmara affair and the traditional enmity between Greece and Turkey over the Turkish enclave in northern Cyprus have contributed to a warming of recent relations between Greece and Israel.
For many years, Greece was one of the most outspoken critics of Israel in Europe and trade between the two countries was complicated by Greek banks, which were known to stand in the way of economic transactions. There were little or no cultural exchanges; relations remained open but strained.
In August 1953, however, the Greek government and people gained respect for the Jewish state when a series of earthquakes shook the Ionian islands of Kefalonia and Zakynthos. The quakes left very few buildings standing and left the economy of both islands in ruins. Six hundred people died in the quakes and 100,000 people left Kefalonia, leaving only 25,000 people on the island.
Nations around the world responded to this tragedy with donations of money, medical supplies and other aid, particularly from the United States, Britain, France and Norway. However, the very first boat to arrive with aid was from Israel.
Four warships of the very nascent Israeli navy were on routine exercises some kilometres off the Greek coast when they heard SOS signals coming from Kefalonia. The senior Israeli officer in charge of the four naval vessels ordered his ships to cancel the remaining part of the exercise and to head for the island. It was here that emergency food, water and medical help arrived to assist the beleaguered islanders. The Israelis were the first international group to arrive and it was the first time that Israel assisted in an international rescue mission. In 1999, Israel’s help was officially honored by the Greek government.
Then, in September 1999, another earthquake hit the Greek mainland. This time, the Greek government sent a request to Israel for assistance. The Israel Defence Forces Homefront Command immediately sent search and rescue teams to the earthquake zone and Israel, together with other countries helped to rescue many victims of the disaster.
This year, on July 11, the Greek president, Karlos Papoulias, arrived in Israel on an official two-day visit. He was welcomed by Israel’s president, Shimon Peres. In his remarks, Peres said that Israel is grateful for the Greek government’s assistance in stopping the Gaza flotilla from leaving any Greek ports. The Israeli president also thanked his counterpart for aid sent by Greece during the Carmel Forest fire.
“Your planes were the first to arrive. We won’t forget this,” he told Papoulias. “This is not just another state visit, but the beginning of a new chapter in relations between the two countries whose histories have in one way or another been intertwined for centuries,” he added.
In the long term, there exists a chance of stability and development between Israel and Greece. With its expanding economy, Israel can help Greece to develop much-needed industry. Despite the present economic problems besetting Greece, the country is a full member of the European Union and can be influential in helping Israel to work more closely with other European institutions in the future.
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