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Although Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s Likud party secured the largest number of parliamentary seats, it failed to obtain the majority required to form a government. Netanyahu therefore remains caretaker prime minister while the process of forming a new administration continues.<\/p>\n
According to Mourelatou\u2019s analysis, Netanyahu\u2019s continued presence in office offers Athens short-term reassurance, providing continuity at a time of uncertainty surrounding Greek-Turkish relations and developments in the Eastern Mediterranean.<\/p>\n
Greece is awaiting developments over Turkey\u2019s proposed legislation concerning the so-called Blue Homeland doctrine, as well as the possible resumption of work on the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnection project. Against this background, the absence of an immediate change in Israel\u2019s leadership represents a development that Athens does not view negatively, given Israel\u2019s importance to Greece\u2019s security interests.<\/p>\n
Read more: Greek PM: Turkey-Libya Maritime Agreement Illegal and Invalid<\/p>\n
However, Greece has repeatedly made clear that its strategic relationship with Israel rests on the state itself rather than on any particular government or political leader.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently reiterated this position when responding to criticism of Greece\u2019s strategic alignment with Israel amid international condemnation of the Israeli government\u2019s actions in Gaza.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreece\u2019s strategic relationship is with the State of Israel, not necessarily with the current government,\u201d Mitsotakis said.<\/p>\n
He also stressed that cooperation with Israel had not weakened Greece\u2019s traditionally strong ties with the Arab world and the Palestinian Authority. Nor, he added, had it prevented Athens from openly criticising the Israeli government when it considered that the government had crossed the line.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the political direction Israel takes after completing its government-formation process remains important for Athens.<\/p>\n
According to Mourelatou, Greece considers it important that Israel has a strong leadership capable of managing bilateral relations and wider regional challenges, particularly those involving Turkey.<\/p>\n
This consideration comes as tensions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean increase, regional energy arrangements undergo changes and countries negotiate new maritime agreements.<\/p>\n
Beyond bilateral relations, Israel is also an important partner for Greece within the trilateral cooperation framework involving Cyprus. The partnership serves regional security interests and contributes to balancing Turkey\u2019s influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.<\/p>\n
Israel also forms part of the strategic 3+1 cooperation framework, which brings together Greece, Cyprus, Israel and the United States. The arrangement supports energy and other infrastructure projects while strengthening Greece\u2019s role as a regional pillar of stability and an energy security hub.<\/p>\n
Mourelatou\u2019s analysis concludes that, regardless of who leads the next Israeli government, Athens will have a strong interest in maintaining a stable strategic partnership capable of helping preserve regional balances amid wider geopolitical uncertainty.<\/p>\n
(Source: Ta Nea)<\/p>\n
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