During a transitional period for Israel, as the first phase of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza nears completion, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides are set to travel to Jerusalem next Monday.
Greece and Cyprus’ participation in the International Stabilization Force envisioned in the second phase of Trump’s plan is among the topics expected to be discussed. Athens’ position was outlined by Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis in Doha: “We believe we can contribute to humanitarian issues, reconstruction, and possibly stabilization forces,” he said, while once again stating Greece’s position regarding the Middle East’s future: “We envision Israel living in peace and security alongside the Palestinians. This is extremely important. Greece is Israel’s strategic ally. We have a unique strategic alliance with Israel across all sectors. At the same time, Greece is among the few states maintaining close, fraternal relations with all Arab states in the region.”
Kairidis tells parapolitika.gr: Greece can have excellent relations with Israel while supporting Palestinian statehood in principle – Elections must be held
Professor of International Relations and New Democracy parliamentary spokesperson Dimitris Kairidis, speaking to parapolitika.gr, argues that “Greece can have excellent relations with Israel while supporting Palestinian statehood in principle. We simply believe it should come at the end of a process, not at the beginning. Moving forward, there will be elections. In Israel, soon within 2026, but there must also be elections in the Palestinian Authority, which hasn’t held elections for 20 years.”
Greece – Cyprus – Israel: Energy tops the agenda
The trilateral cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel in the energy sector is expected to top the discussion agenda. The three countries have agreed on a Trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation plan covering the exploitation and management of water resources, natural gas distribution to international markets, and the transport of natural gas from the Mediterranean to European countries.
Additionally, pursuing regional security during a particularly fluid period in the Middle East and North African region, with Turkey regularly reviving the Blue Homeland doctrine, Greece and Cyprus collaborate with Israel in the defense sector, primarily regarding the procurement of defensive weapons systems for Cyprus and Greece.
Dimitris Kairidis, speaking to parapolitika.gr, referenced positive developments for Greek interests originating from Israel, such as Hezbollah’s weakening, which was a factor that ultimately enabled the EEZ agreement between Cyprus and Lebanon, thus practically demonstrating Israel’s support for Cyprus, often provoking Turkey’s reaction: “A free Cyprus is vital for Israel. Israel doesn’t want to be surrounded by Muslims, especially Turks. It wants the Republic of Cyprus to be maintained and remain strong. Israel now has a national interest in the independence of the Republic of Cyprus and in strengthening it militarily. Turkey is bothered because Israel is a very important player, and this competition between them changes the dynamics. Turkey and Israel won’t have a complete rupture, and Israel understands it neither wants nor benefits from a complete break with Turkey, but there’s no trust between the two, and their relations are very problematic.”
The limited time of the Prime Minister’s stay in Israel is expected to prevent a meeting with Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos, who, according to all indications, has distanced himself from the Ecumenical Patriarchate and maintains regular communication with the Moscow Patriarchate, causing concern among many ecclesiastical and diplomatic figures.
