Greeks favor ties with Israel as protests persist

A broad majority of Greeks continue to back their country’s partnership with Israel, even as protests and political figures on the left demand a cooling of relations in light of the Gaza conflict.

A nationwide poll conducted by News Break found that 77 percent of respondents supported maintaining the strategic relationship with Israel. 

Just 21 percent voiced opposition, mostly citing concerns over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, while 2 percent had no opinion. More than 5,600 people took part in the survey.

Public demonstrations at ports such as Syros and Piraeus have amplified pro-Palestinian calls. Yet the data suggest those voices remain a minority, with most Greeks aligning with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s government, which has consistently championed closer cooperation with Israel in security, trade, and energy.

While Israel faces a storm of criticism in international media and diplomatic forums, analysts note that the notion of “isolation” is more rhetorical than real. 

On the ground, its web of regional partnerships and strategic alignments has largely held. The security and energy cooperation with Greece is one such anchor, joined by ties with Cyprus, growing exchanges with Balkan states, and enduring backing from Washington.

Athens views the partnership not only as a way to deepen energy and defense links but also as part of a wider balancing act in the Eastern Mediterranean. For many Greek officials and citizens, Israel represents a stable counterweight to Turkey, which is still regarded as Greece’s primary strategic rival.

Realpolitik Over Rhetoric

Despite a vocal minority demanding a reassessment, the survey underscores that pragmatic considerations dominate public opinion. 

Greece’s willingness to reinforce ties with Israel reflects a broader recognition: while headlines may frame Israel as increasingly isolated, its real-world alliances remain resilient. 

For both Athens and Jerusalem, cooperation offers tangible benefits that outlast the ebb and flow of protest movements or diplomatic condemnations.