The anti-capitalist Syriza party, which emerged victorious from Greece’s recent elections, has strong pro-Palestinian and anti-Zionist leanings, which do not bode well for Greek-Israeli relations. However, writes Arye Mekel, Greece is unlikely to make any substantive changes in its relations with the Jewish state any time soon:
Since 2010, Greek-Israeli cooperation has significantly improved during the tenure of both the Socialist and the Conservative governments of Greece. Nowadays, the two countries enjoy a close and intimate relationship in several areas including defense, with air-force and navy joint maneuvers leading the way.
By contrast, Syriza has been very critical of Israel. The party is not made of one cloth, but many of its leaders are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Some party leaders were involved in organizing anti-Israeli demonstrations in Athens during Operation Protective Edge last summer, and at least one of its leaders, Thodoris Dritsas, participated in one of the flotillas to Gaza. . . .
Syriza always takes pains to stress that while it is critical of Israel, it is by no means anti-Semitic, and that it is a staunch critic of the Greek neo-Nazi party, Golden Dawn. Syriza leaders have regularly attended commemorative events for the Holocaust in Greece. . . .
The new Greek government is unlikely to change its policy toward Israel in the near future. Its main challenge is to find a compromise with the EU [over economic issues] in a manner that will satisfy the Greek public. . . . If they succeed, they will be free to consider other foreign-policy issues.
Read more on BESA Center: http://besacenter.org/perspectives-papers/new-greek-government-israel-reason-concern/