The meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York, within the scope of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, was met with reaction by the Greek press and the opposition.
While the government's Israel policy was criticized in the Greek press over the meeting, it was argued that Mitsotakis' foreign policy choices left the country in a difficult situation.
"DANGEROUS HUG"
Defense website Militaire, published in Greece, announced the meeting in New York under the title "dangerous embrace".
The statement "The world excludes, we embrace" was used in the news. While it was claimed that Mitsotakis was the only European leader to meet with Netanyahu, it was argued that the Israeli Prime Minister was isolated in the international arena.
Militaire: "Will the Greek Prime Minister use international law from now on?" asked the question and described the meeting as "sad".
The news also stated that Netanyahu was accused of "committing genocide and brutal violence in the West Bank" and said, "Is Israel's support for Greece necessary? It is damaging." statements were included.
THE INTERVIEW LAST 30 MINUTES
Ta Nea newspaper reported that the meeting between Mitsotakis and Netanyahu lasted approximately 30 minutes.
The newspaper stated that during the meeting, a decision was made to reorganize the tripartite leaders' summit between Israel, Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus.
According to the statement of the Greek Prime Ministry, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, as well as regional developments, especially Iran and Lebanon, defense cooperation and connectivity issues.
CRITICISM FROM THE GREEK OPPOSITION TO THE GOVERNMENT
The meeting was also criticized in successive statements by the Greek Left Alliance (ELAS), the Radical Left Alliance (SYRIZA) and the New Left Party, founded by former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
In the statements, it was claimed that rapprochement with the Israeli government, which was claimed to have led the country to a dead end in foreign policy and isolated it internationally, was damaging to Greece.
In the statement made by ELAS, "The Prime Minister preferred to meet with Netanyahu, unlike the vast majority of European leaders, despite the fact that an arrest warrant has been issued for him by the International Court of Justice." It was said.
The statement also said, "The country urgently needs to change direction. Greece should return to a multidimensional foreign policy that plays a leading role in developments as the pillar of peace and stability, rather than being a one-sided spectator following Netanyahu, who is isolated in the international arena." statements were included.
RELATIONS WITH Türkiye WERE ALSO BROUGHT TO THE AGENDA
ELAS also touched upon the relations between Türkiye and Greece in its statement.
The statement said, "The Mitsotakis government has not taken any initiative for peace and stability, and has failed to establish a dialogue with Ankara on the basis of international law."
SYRIZA also criticized Mitsotakis' attitude at the UN General Assembly. In the party's statement, it was argued that the Greek Prime Minister "avoided talking about the genocide in Gaza and did not say a word about the killing of civilians and blocking humanitarian aid" in his speech.
"HE HAD A FRIENDLY MEETING WITH NETANYAHU"
SYRIZA reminded that delegations of many countries left the UN General Assembly hall to protest Israel.
In the party's statement, "The Greek Prime Minister had a cordial meeting with Netanyahu. Instead of taking a clear stand on the side of peace, he chose to embrace and play the role of a loyal ally." It was said.
