Visit of the Minister of Defense of Israel Benjamin Ganz in Athens and his meeting with a colleague Nikos Panagiotopoulos, shortly before the transfer of his duties in connection with the new government that will be formed after the change of power in the Knesset, is a gesture of good will, on the one hand, to clear the smoke from the recent cancellation of his transfer to Kalamata, indeed on the day it was made the announcement of his trip to Ankara, on the one hand, in order to send a message about the strategic relationship that the two countries have established in the field of security. In this context, more important than Mr. Gantz’s symbolic visit is a much more meaningful visit to Athens over the next ten days by a permanent director general of the Israeli Defense Ministry, who has the authority to talk about weapons programs. in depth, and also testifies to the long-term commitment of the Israeli side.

The contacts, of course, are connected with the emergence of a new government under the leadership of veteran Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as with efforts to bring Israel and Turkey closer together. Already Mr. Netanyahu assured the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he also wishes to continue efforts to normalize relations between the two countries. However, as anyone who follows Israeli affairs is well aware, Mr. Netanyahu, unlike his predecessors, has very different views on the process that should be followed without assuming that there will be a setback, especially regarding the exchange of diplomatic missions and technical commissions. to resume economic relations. Much in the course of Turkish-Israeli relations will be judged by the position taken by Mr. Erdogan and his government in the difficult pre-election period, which is already in full swing. The question is whether it is possible at this stage to abandon the Islamist rhetoric that Erdogan has adhered to over the past decade, and Ankara’s unwillingness to “let go” of Hamas.

In the coming days, the permanent director general of the Israeli Ministry of Defense will arrive in Athens for equipment.

solid foundation

On the Israeli side, it is emphasized in various ways that the relationship that Athens and Tel Aviv are building, especially in the field of security, cannot be affected in any way. The good chemistry between Mr. Netanyahu and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was also confirmed in their first communication (November 4) since the return of the Israeli politician to the premiership. In addition, the Israelis seem to believe that through the various channels they have inside and outside their country, they can influence in a positive direction and in cooperation with the US in reducing Greek-Turkish tensions.

However, yesterday the statements in the Ministry of Defense were especially warm. “Today we had the opportunity to reaffirm our common goal and desire to expand and deepen the strategic defense partnership between Greece and Israel, which has risen to an extremely high level in recent years,” said Mr. Panagiotopoulos. “Just as we seek new connections and rely on our friends, the State of Israel can act as a bridge in the Eastern Mediterranean region to bring peace and stability to all,” said Mr. Gantz, among other things.