Two wronged by Turkey becomes good friends

Israel, Greece mark growing ties with joint air force drill.

Benjamin Netanyahu and George Papandreou does not have much in common. But both are in trouble with Turkey.

Israel’s Air Force on Monday concluded a two-week drill with the Hellenic Air Force.

This happend as the two nations cemented growing ties between their militaries, recently reflected in Greece’s recent move to halt a Gaza-bound flotilla set to depart from its shores.

The joint drill was held at Greece’s Larisa Air Base, and several elite Israeli squadrons, along with the IDF’s elite rescue unit 669 took part in the exercise along with the Greek military.

Over the past few days Greece has been working to stop the pro-Palestinian flotilla from departing to Gaza. On Sunday, the Greek government offered to transport the flotilla’s aid to Gaza as a compromise in order to end the affair.

A new beginning, or just an alliance in their deep need to counter Turkey?

According to the Greek initiative, the humanitarian aid aboard flotilla ships will be loaded onto watercraft.

The Greek government has offered to transfer the goods to Gaza via the organized channels.

This was requested by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon two weeks ago.

This means the aid would go through either the Ashdod port or Arish, and from there be taken to the Gaza Strip under the supervision of Greek and UN authorities.

Source: Haaretz.

My comment:

The relationship between Israel and Greek has never been easy. Growing antisemitism in the Greek Orthodox Church has made Israel embarrassed on several occasions.

But nowadays, geopolitics creates new alliances fast. While the influence of Turkey is growing, Greece is on the brink of bankruptcy.

Israel does not have many friends, and the growing threat from Turkey needed to be countered.

The old saying again becomes reality: “My enemy’s enemy is my best friend”.

Turkey has always been hostile to Greek national interest, and do occupy the Northern part of Cypress. Turkey also support Hamas, a major treat to the Jewish state.

 Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

That Israel managed to stop the Gaza piracy flotilla at the harbor of Athene is a great diplomatic victory for Israel.

How much cash Israel had to put on the table, to sweeten the bid, we will only come to know in the future. 

But what is wrong to offer some cash to a friend who is so short of cash, that he has to borrow money to buy a cup of tea?

Written by Ivar