Greek Prime Minister warns Israel risks losing friends: The death of thousands of children cannot be justified

(Patria) - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a key partner of Israel within the European Union, has warned that Israel risks losing its remaining friends with its destructive war in Gaza, reported AFP.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, the center-right Greek leader said Israel has the right to self-defense after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, but that it cannot "justify the death of thousands of children".

"Greece maintains a strategic partnership with Israel, but that does not prevent us from speaking openly and honestly," Mitsotakis said.

"The continuation of this course will ultimately harm Israel's own interests, leading to an erosion of international support," he said.

"I tell my Israeli friends that they risk alienating all their remaining allies if they persist on a path that destroys the potential for a two-state solution."

Greece has not joined European powers, including France and the United Kingdom, which have recognized a Palestinian state in recent days, expressing outrage at Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in a fiery speech to the UN earlier on Friday accused Western leaders of fanning antisemitism, flew over Greece while en route to New York due to an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court.

Greece has found common interests with Israel due to tensions both sides have with Turkey, which has rapidly expanded its influence in Syria since the fall of leader Bashar al-Assad in December.

But Israel also faces widespread public criticism in Greece, and Mitsotakis's left-wing predecessor Alexis Tsipras has called for the recognition of a Palestinian state.