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Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis declared Jerusalem a "Jewish city" while emphasizing Israel's role as Greece's "key ally against Türkiye", sending a message about the importance of the Greece-Israel alliance amid shifting regional dynamics.
Speaking to a Greek media outlet To Manifesto on Thursday, Georgiadis stated that geopolitical developments in the region have made the two countries strategic partners, noting that the interests of Türkiye and Israel are now "directly competitive."
"Erdogan says all day that Jerusalem belongs to the Arabs, Netanyahu responded yesterday that Jerusalem is a Jewish city," Georgiadis said, referring to the Turkish president and Israeli prime minister.
The minister asserted his view on Jerusalem's historical identity, stating: "Jerusalem is a Jewish city, indeed. The Jews founded it; it was their holy city."
Georgiadis clarified that while he accepts United Nations political decisions for circumstantial reasons, he cannot overlook what he views as historical reality.
Drawing parallels to Greek heritage, he explained: "To accept without question that it's half-and-half with the Arabs would be like denying that various cradles of Hellenism don't have cultural and emotional ties for us."
The health minister underscored Israel's position as Greece's fundamental ally and Türkiye's adversary, suggesting Greece could rely on Tel Aviv's support in future crises.
"In whatever we need in the future, they will truly be by our side, if we are now by their side," Georgiadis stated.
The minister's statements triggered criticism on the social media platform X, with users challenging his historical assertions about Jerusalem's founding.
"Jerusalem was not founded by the Jews as far as I know. The Old Testament says so, too. If I'm wrong, correct me," one user posted.
Another critic wrote: "He was wrong when he was antisemitic, he's wrong now too. The Jews did not found Jerusalem."
A third user questioned the exclusivity of the claim: "Christians claim it, Arabs claim it, and of course Jews claim it—how is it only a Jewish city?"
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