Greek government's policy on Gaza conflict is 'strategic mistake': Main opposition

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - The Greek main opposition SYRIZA party has criticized the government’s policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, calling it a "strategic mistake" and "dangerous".

During her intervention in the parliament with Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, former Alternate Foreign Minister Sia Anagnostopoulou stated that a new cycle of bloodshed began in Gaza, according to the daily Avgi on Monday.

"The inhumane attack launched by Hamas against Israel on October 7 against civilians is absolutely condemnable. However, Israel's counteroffensive that leaves behind thousands of civilians dead every day, among them thousands of children, has a huge humanitarian cost for the Palestinian people, who have suffered over time the violence and repression of the Israeli army,” she said.

She pointed out that historical injustices against the Palestinians, the non-implementation of the Oslo Accords (1993), and the UN resolutions for a two-state solution have pushed the situation toward critical and dangerous paths, risking a generalized conflagration in the Middle East.

The former minister found it unacceptable for Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis to tell the Israeli premier that any developments should occur without significant humanitarian costs.

Anagnostopoulou also criticized Mitsotakis for abstaining from meeting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during his recent visit to Israel and not addressing the bombing of the St. Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church by Israeli forces to Netanyahu.

“Finally, it is unacceptable and inconceivable that Greece, with a decision of the New Democracy government, abstains from voting for the UN General Assembly resolution to declare a humanitarian ceasefire and open aid routes to Gaza, at the same time that countries such as France, Spain, Portugal, etc., voted in favor,” she said.

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7 has risen to 8,306, the Health Ministry in the besieged Palestinian enclave said on Monday, including 3,457 children and 2,136 women.

Israel has heavily bombarded Gaza since Oct. 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise cross-border attack.

At least 1,538 Israelis have been killed since the outbreak of the Gaza war, public broadcaster KAN said on Monday.

Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari on Saturday announced the Israeli army is "expanding its operations," moving to the "next phase of our war against Hamas."

Gaza's 2.3 million residents are also grappling with shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine due to Israel’s blockade of the enclave. Only a handful of aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since the opening of the Rafah crossing point on Oct. 21.