Its deepening relations between Greece and Israelwhich has taken on strategic characteristics over the past twelve years, complemented by—in fact follows—the forward-thinking collaboration that the Greek and Jewish communities of America have developed over decades.

The symbolism of Athens and Jerusalem for Western democracies is obvious, and the geography makes Greece and Israel, along with Cyprus, a natural axis of cooperation with numerous benefits for all involved. Given these facts, it is difficult to explain how the relationship dragged on for so long.

The thaw and rapid rapprochement initiated by George Papandreou, beginning with his meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu in Moscow in February 2010 (followed by mutual visits in July to Jerusalem and in August to Athens), has been continued by all Greek prime ministers of various ideologies and factions Cast: Antonis Samaras, Alexis Tsipras, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. It is a cross-party national choice that ensures its continuation over time.

At the same time, the initiative to organize the summit of mayors against anti-Semitism, which takes place (yesterday and today) in Athens, reflects the sensitivity and attitude of the Greeks also at the level of local government.

In this atmosphere of warm relations between the two peoples and close cooperation between Hellenism and the Jewish community, the new head of the American Jewish Committee, Ted Deutsch, decided to visit Athens shortly after taking up his new duties.

His participation in today’s event organized by “TO” in collaboration with the Hellenic American Leadership Council and the Delphi Economic Forum on the future of Greece’s relations with the Diaspora is of particular value. In addition, Hellenism can learn many lessons from Israel’s highly effective collaboration with the Jewish community around the world.

Mr. Deutsch begins his tenure with the best of omens. The stance of understanding he demonstrated on matters of concern to Greece during his twelve years in the House of Representatives easily leads to the conclusion that he will make a decisive contribution to deepening an already very strong relationship.

At the same time, the positive role of Greece and Cyprus in relation to Israel’s accession to the EU. and the strong ties of all three republics with the United States make cooperation between them a factor of geopolitical stability in an unstable region.

The ground is favorable both at the level of political leaders and at the level of nations. For historical, symbolic, but also significant reasons, relations between Greeks and Jews at the state and diaspora levels are developing into a promising success story.