Greece has denied any involvement in the Israeli military’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla bound for Gaza, stressing that no Israeli vessels linked to the operation docked at a Greek port.
The flotilla, which departed from Spain, was intercepted by Israeli military ships on April 30 in international waters northwest of Crete. More than 170 activists were removed from the vessels and later transferred to Greek authorities.
Speaking during a regular briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lana Zochiou said Greece’s contact with Israel related only to the disembarkation of the 176 passengers following the interception.
“Greece acted on the basis of the rules of the Law of the Sea,” Zochiou said, adding there had been “no prior coordination with Israel regarding the operations.”
She said Greece had undertaken “the humanitarian task” of receiving those aboard in order to prevent escalation and ensure their safe return home.
According to Zochiou, the Israeli vessel involved did not enter a Greek port, with passengers instead brought ashore by the Hellenic Coast Guard.
“For humanitarian reasons, Greece offered to allow the 176 citizens to disembark on its territory and ensured their return to their countries,” she said.
Zochiou also noted that no official arrangements had yet been made regarding a possible future visit to Greece by US President Donald Trump, despite positive signals about such a trip.
Source: Ekathimerini.
