Visiting Greek PM stresses ‘critically important’ defense cooperation with Israel
Kyriakos Mitsotakis calls for ‘immediate and unconditional release’ of hostages, as well as a renewed ceasefire in Gaza that ‘will allow us all to think about the day after’
Visiting Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday that the nations share “many security challenges” and that their defense cooperation is of great importance.
Speaking before their meeting in Jerusalem Sunday evening, Netanyahu said the two would discuss “security challenges, economic opportunities and the ways we can create the chances for a lasting peace in our region.”
“We are two ancient peoples,” Netanyahu said. “Our free civilization started in Athens and Jerusalem. We have common values, and we share common interests today and also common challenges.”
“From one democracy in the eastern Mediterranean to another democracy in the eastern Mediterranean, welcome friend,” the Israeli leader added.
Mitsotakis said that the countries’ defense cooperation is “critically important to us in Greece.”
Athens is in talks with Israel to buy advanced artillery systems and to purchase an Iron Dome-like missile defense system.
Greece is keen to invest in its defenses to keep up with its NATO ally and historic rival Turkey, which is also developing its own air defenses, despite some improvement in relations.
Earlier Sunday, Mitsotakis also met with President Isaac Herzog, who told him that Israel’s renewed military campaign in Gaza is intended to secure the return of remaining Israeli hostages.
“We are now pursuing military operations in order to get back our hostages,” Herzog told the Greek leader during a meeting at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, adding that Israel is receiving “very disturbing reports about the medical situation” of hostages and that their swift return is “the highest priority of our nation.”
“It has to be clear in the family of nations that this is something that is totally unacceptable,” the president said regarding the 59 hostages still held by the Hamas terror group in Gaza.
The president addressed the need to confront rampant terrorist activity in Israel and the region, highlighting an attack in Jaffa last October in which 16 people were injured and seven people were killed, including Greek citizen Jonas Chrosis.
Hamas later claimed responsibility for the murders, saying the gunmen were members of the terrorist organization.
Mitsotakis, who also visited Israel in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led invasion, similarly called for the “immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages,” while also adding his “voice to those who express a sincere hope that as quickly as possible there will be a new ceasefire in Gaza, and finally a framework that will allow us all to think about the day after.”
The visiting prime minister expressed his condolences to the parents of Chrosis, whom he said he met with in Athens and announced a soon-to-be-opened “scholarship program honoring Jonas,” who was studying abroad at Tel Aviv University before his murder.
Signing the president’s guest book, the Greek premier wrote a note expressing his desire “to underline the strategic partnership and strong ties of friendship between our people, in good times and in bad.”
Agencies contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.