Former Prime Minister of Greece, George Papandreou, posted an extensive article on his personal website discussing the situation between Israel and Gaza, stressing the need to bring an end to the conflict and continue pursuing a “Two-State solution”.
Papandreou spoke in detail on the developments in the situation, speaking of “the horror that Gaza, the Palestinians, and the few hostages still living are experiencing” which must end immediately.
He argues that while the international community’s moves seem hopeless, solutions for peace exist, which are nevertheless undermined and nullified again and again by extreme nationalist voices, both in Israel and Palestine.
“The only way forward – however difficult it may be – is the Two-State solution,” Papandreou said while adding:
“And Greece, Hellenism, with its historical relationship with Israelis and Palestinians, and their diaspora, must raise the voice of reason. A voice that bridges and reconciles peoples.”
He explains that “some fear that recognising Palestine is hostile to Israel, or even a ‘reward’ for Hamas” but stressed it is neither one nor the other.
“Recognition strengthens the moderate political path, and those who fight for peace and peaceful coexistence. It strengthens the voices of reason of both Palestinians and Israelis,” the former PM said.
“The Netanyahu government and Hamas feed off each other’s logic of denial – each denying the legitimacy of the other side. Recognizing Palestine can break the vicious cycle of denial and violence.”
The former prime minister notes the impressive mobilisation of civil society within Israel. And democratic Israel has said it clearly: “The time has come. The war must end. Everyone must return home. There must be peace.”
“By recognising Palestine, Greece and Europe stand alongside the courageous voices of Israel… This recognition does not isolate Israel. On the contrary, it strengthens the forces of reason – Israelis and Palestinians – who raise their voices for peace and stand in solidarity with the democratic forces of the region,” Papandreou said.
“Those who confuse Israel with its current government, whether out of ignorance or intentionally, not only mislead but also impose an unjust moral judgment on an entire people.”
He points to the appalling living conditions in Gaza and the need for immediate humanitarian solidarity, while emphasising the catalytic role that Greece can play, recalling the initiatives of Andreas Papandreou in the 1980s, fully recognising the PLO diplomatically and the ‘1988 Stockholm Declaration,’ which resulted in Yasser Arafat committing, among other things, to recognise Israel’s right to exist and renounce terrorism.
The former PM proposes a European Roadmap with a strong and leading role for Greece to move away from the current stance that seems passive, if not paralysed, towards this conflict.
As he underlines, “a European Plan for Israeli-Palestinian Peace with Greece as a Mediator and Catalyst includes:
1. Recognition and Peace Framework
2. Humanitarian Guarantees and Reconstruction of Gaza
3. Civil Society, Youth and Humanitarian Solidarity for Peace
4. Balanced and Effective Sanctions and Strategic Influence
5. Protection of the Media and Reliable Information
6. European Unity
7. A Greek Mediterranean Initiative”.
Papandreou concludes his article with the following:
“Inaction is not neutrality; it is complicity.
Greece, forged in the struggle for freedom and as the birthplace of democracy, has a duty to lead.
The recognition of Palestine is not the end of diplomacy – it is the beginning.”
