Israel’s foreign minister called for NATO to expel Turkey on Monday after President Tayyip Erdogan suggested his country might enter Israel, as it had previously entered Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh.
“In light of Turkish President Erdogan’s threats to invade Israel and his dangerous rhetoric, Foreign Minister Israel Katz instructed diplomats… to urgently engage with all NATO members, calling for the condemnation of Turkey and demanding its expulsion from the regional alliance,” the ministry said.
Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, stated in a speech on Sunday: “We must be very strong so that Israel can’t do these ridiculous things to Palestine. Just like we entered Karabakh, just like we entered Libya, we might do similar to them.”
In response on Monday, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz said, “Erdogan is following in the footsteps of Saddam Hussein and threatening to attack Israel. He should remember what happened there and how it ended.”
“Turkey, which hosts the Hamas headquarters responsible for terrorist attacks against Israel, has become a member of the Iranian axis of evil, alongside Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis in Yemen,” Katz added.
Once close regional allies, relations between Israel and Turkey have been deteriorating for more than a decade. Bilateral trade, despite many diplomatic storms, had reached billions of dollars annually, but Turkey recently announced it would halt all bilateral trade with Israel until the war ends and aid can flow unhindered into Gaza.
Apostolos Christou missed on a swimming medal at the Paris Olympics on Monday by just a mere two-hundredths of a second.
Christou finished 4th in the men’s 100 meters backstroke in 52.41 seconds. His placing was still the best Greek result in swimming in the history of the Olympic Games.
Italy’s Tomas Ceccon won gold in 52 seconds flat, China’s Xu Jiayu won silver in 52.32 and Rio gold medalist Ryan Murphy of the US was third in 52.39.
“I was upset, because (the medal) was so close… Maybe I got stuck in my turn. I had no strength to go any faster,” Christou, whose personal best is 52.09, told state broadcaster ERT after the race.
He added that he expected a medal, but will try again in the 2028 Olympics at Los Angeles.
The Elion Society was founded in 1972 to represent the ancient region and city state of Elis (or Elia), which is located in the northwest of the Peloponnese and is the ancestral birthplace of the Olympic Games, with the ruins of Olympia laying in the region since the games were founded in 776BC. For over five decades, the Elion Society has preserved the rich cultural norms and traditions of this historic area of Greece.
All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Peter Tantalos.
All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Peter Tantalos.
President of the ESSA, Spiro Perdikoyiannis opened formalities at the luncheon by acknowledging the significance of the event and the society’s ongoing purpose.
“…[I]t’s appropriate, being our heritage of ancient Olympia and the region that we associate with our Syllogo (Society) that we also celebrate the beginning of the Olympic Games today. And it works very well with our seasonal beginnings…” Ms Perdikoyiannis said.
“…[whatever] walk of life, and all ages, keeping our faith and beliefs that we pass down from our grandparents, great grandparents [is important], and we want to pass it onto our kids to continue these beautiful civilisation and cultural activities, and the friendships that we have grown to love.”
After Mr Perdikoyiannis’ remarks, dancers from the ESSA dance group – dressed in the form of ancient priestesses – performed a procession of the lighting of the Olympic flame inspired by ancient tradition.
Traditional Olympic priestess procession.Passing of the Olympic Torch to start the relay.Enactment of the Olympic Torch relay.
To accompany the traditional procession, there was an enactment of the lighting of the Olympic torch to begin the official Olympic Torch Relay, which is the relay that transports the flame from the ancient region of Elia to the city which is hosting the modern Olympic games.
SA Minister for Transport, the Hon. Tom Koutsantonis then addressed ESSA by highlighting the historical significance of the Olympic games, their cultural impact and the rich inheritance of the ESSA.
(L-R) Lambros Giannacopoulis (Vice President of ESSA), Hon. Tom Koutsantonis MP, Spiro Perdikoyiannis (President of ESSA).Hon. Tom Koutsantonis addresses Elion Society luncheon.
“…The Olympic games are on now and 2,800 years ago the ceremony that you saw, that began in Greece, is now playing out in Paris. And here we are in another country… looking back proudly at the heritage that we have given the world. We have given the world democracy, we have given the world government, we have given the world philosophy, we have given the world mathematics and science, and we gave them the Olympics,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
“The Olympic ideal is the pursuit of individual excellence, fitness and health, about trying to champion your city state, your area, your country to win gold. And during that pursuit of individual excellence, all the city states ceased war – such was the importance of the Olympics. And here we are, celebrating, watching our young children dance, while we watch them, we maintain our faith, our culture, and our language.”
Following the speeches, formalities, and captivating performative dances, attendees were warmly invited to come together and partake in the festivities, celebrating their shared culture through music and traditional dances.
Performance of traditional dances.Athena Wallbank (Secretary of the Ellion Society of SA) with luncheon spread for guests.
The event was filled with lively conversations, laughter, and the joyous sounds of traditional music, creating a vibrant and “kefi” filled atmosphere. Guests left the event feeling not only culturally enriched but also deeply connected to their roots and to one another, fostering a renewed sense of community and pride in their shared heritage.
The newly elected members of the ESSA committee includes: Spiro Perdikoyiannis – President, Lambros Giannacopoulos – Vice President , Loiza Karamanis – Treasurer, Athena Wallbank – Secretary, Dora Fitos, Katina Giannou, Theo Giannacopoulos , Kathy Kontos, Loula Mihalopoulos, Christen Perdikoyiannis and Theo Sylaidis.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
“Free Cyprus” and “Turkey out of Cyprus” echoed across the streets of Sydney on Sunday, July 28 as members of the Cypriot and Greek communities marched for justice for Cyprus 50 years after Turkey invaded the island in 1974.
Hundreds of people took part in the ‘peace march’ to Sydney’s Lane Park, including Greek and Cypriot community and faith leaders, many Cypriot refugees, and families of people killed during or still missing since the Turkish invasion. It was the first time in years the march was allowed to be held.
Hundreds of people gathered to take part in the ‘peace march.’ All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
Voula Andonopoulos and her brother Sotirios marched with tears in their eyes as they clutched the photo of their cousin who was just 20 years old when he was killed in Cyprus fighting off the Turkish troops.
“It’s important to be here today to remember my cousin and all the other heroes who were fighting for the freedom of Cyprus,” Voula told The Greek Herald.
Voula Andonopoulos and her brother Sotirios with a photo of their cousin.
Never-before seen photos on display
Organised by SEKA NSW (the Justice for Cyprus Co-ordinating Committee), the march was part of a larger program of commemorative events which began on Saturday, July 27 at The Cyprus Club in Stanmore.
A cocktail party started at 7pm and was emceed by co-President of SEKA NSW Dr Miranda Adamou. There was a musical tribute from Cypriot musicians Marios Charalambous and Giorgos Timotheou, and a number speeches from official guests.
Emcee Dr Miranda Adamou addresses the crowd.Musical tribute from Cypriot musicians Marios Charalambous and Giorgos Timotheou.
Speeches were given by the Commissioner of the Citizen of the Republic of Cyprus, Panayiotis Palates; the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis; Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis; the Trade Commissioner of Greece in Australia, Chrysa Prokopaki; the PASEKA President and co-President of SEKA NSW, Chris Koulinos; the President of the Cyprus Community of NSW (CCNSW), Michael Kyriacou; and the President of the Cyprus Hellene Club, Panikos Achilleos.
The Deputy High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus Stavros Nicolaou was also present in what was one of his last events before the end of his time in Australia before taking up his new post in Israel.
Some of the guests at the cocktail party.
Following the official proceedings, attendees had a chance to take in an exhibition on display which featured a collection of powerful never-before-seen images from the archives of the Cyprus Press and Information Office, providing a visual narrative of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
The photos vividly documented the human rights violations committed by Turkey 50 years ago, including the desecration of Greek Cypriots’ graves, the destruction of the island’s cultural heritage, the displacement of countless refugees, and the ongoing tragedy of missing persons, some of whom were depicted in the photos.
The exhibition was organised by the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, in collaboration with the CCNSW and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus
The never-before-seen photographs on display.
Remembering the fallen and missing
On Sunday, July 28, commemorations continued with a memorial service for the fallen and prayer for the missing persons at St Sophia and Three Daughters Greek Orthodox Church in Surry Hills. The liturgy was officiated by Bishop Iakovos alongside parish priest Father Irenaeus. At the end, the Bishop read out a message by Archbishop Makarios of Australia marking the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Memorial service at St Sophia and Three Daughters Greek Orthodox Church in Surry Hills.
Dignitaries, officials and members of local Greek and Cypriot community organisations later gathered at the Cenotaph in Martin Place for a wreath laying ceremony. The ceremony included a prayer reading, the playing of the Last Post and Rouse, the reading of the Ode, and a minute silence.
Some of the people who laid wreaths at the Martin Place Cenotaph.
The ‘peace march’ that followed was not hindered by the cold weather and freezing winds. Led by Mr Palates, Mr Sammoutis, Bishop Iakovos, Father Irenaeus, Dr Adamou and the President of St Sophia and Three Daughters Greek Orthodox Church, Con Zannettides, a contingent of Cypriot and Greek people proudly walked through Sydney, chanting and waving signs documenting the faces of people still missing 50 years after the Turkish invasion. The President of the Cyprus Community of South Australia Professor Andreas Evdokiou was also among the crowd, having travelled interstate for the solemn occasion.
Everyone stopped at Lane Park for a small gathering before moving to the Cyprus Club in Stanmore for a cultural program and official speeches.
‘We will never forget’
In what was a fitting end to 50th anniversary commemorations in Sydney, more than 200 people turned up to the Cyprus Club on Sunday afternoon.
Emceed by Themis Kallos, the event included the singing of the national anthems of Greece and Australia, followed by a dancing performance from the Cyprus Community of NSW’s dance school, and interspersed with heartbreaking poem recitals. Speeches were also given by Mr Koulinos, Mr Palates, Mr Sammoutis, Ms Prokopaki, Mr Kyriakou, Dr Adamou, and the former President of the New South Wales Legislative Council, Amanda Ruth Fazio.
Chrysa Prokopaki.Antonis Sammoutis.
As co-Presidents of SEKA NSW and the event organisers, Mr Koulinos and Dr Adamou reflected in their speeches on the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus invasion, emphasising the importance of remembering the past to inform the present. They also stressed that if there is no solution to the Cyprus Problem over the next few years, the Cypriot community will continue advocating for justice and an end to the illegal occupation of the island.
Chris Koulinos.Dr Miranda Adamou.
Mr Palates spoke on behalf of the entire government of the Republic of Cyprus when he said that Cypriots will never forget the tragedy that hit their homeland 50 years ago. He also thanked the diaspora of Cyprus in Australia for keeping alive the memory of the national heroes who died during the invasion.
“Through these events you are serving as the best ambassadors in spreading the story of the drama that the Cypriot people have suffered for half a century,” Mr Palates said.
“The message is clear – the Greek Cypriot diaspora does not forget its homeland, our Cyprus… 50 years later, we do not forget our beloved lands trampled by Turkey. We do not forget or dismiss our rich history of over 3,000 years, which defines our national identity and calls us never to forget or fall short of those who fought and sacrificed for our homelands freedom.”
Panayiotis Palates.
As a member of the NSW Labor party, Ms Fazio said 50 years “of illegal occupation, ethnic cleansing, and the destruction and looting of cultural and religious artefacts is far too long.”
She stressed that although the Cyprus Problem “has slipped in the memory of too many people” thanks to more recent conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine, the Cypriot community and Cyprus more broadly has “good friends in the Labor Party.” Ms Fazio gave an example of how former NSW Senator Michael Forshaw moved a resolution last week to recognise the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The motion was passed unanimously.
Amanda Fazio.Michael Kyriakou.
“[The motion]… called for reunification and for the end of the illegal occupation of Cyprus. So please be assured that even though so many people in the world have forgotten what has happened in Cyprus, you do have good friends here in Australia, outside of the Cypriot community,” Ms Fazio said.
Following the remainder of the powerful and moving speeches, there was an exchange of gifts between Mr Palates and the Presidents of PASEKA, SEKA NSW and the Cyprus Community of NSW. Cypriot musicians Charalambous and Timotheou also rounded out the evening with a musical performance.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
In an Australian first, Stan has made available to audiences the tailored and curated official Olympic Games Paris 2024 coverage from eight international channels including Greece’s local hosted coverage and shows from Eurosport. This unique exclusive offering provides Australia’s Greek community a comprehensive and culturally relevant viewing experience throughout Paris 2024.
The official channel from Greece via Eurosport is streaming ad-free, live and on demand in Greek exclusively on Stan Sport throughout the Olympic Games.
Stan Chief Executive Officer Martin Kugeler said, “We are delighted to deliver the most comprehensive, innovative and uninterrupted, ad-free viewing experience for the Olympic Games in Australian history.” “Thanks to the support from the IOC and the great partners of Eurosport, Viacom18 and Sky New Zealand, Stan Sport will bring curated official international channels in multiple languages, making the Olympics accessible to even more Australians than ever before. We are proud to bring this world first to our audience,” Mr Kugeler added.
The Greek channel via Eurosport is part of Stan’s international channel offering for the Olympic Games, bringing the official coverage from the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Germany in their native languages from Eurosport, plus live coverage from New Zealand via Sky.
Nick G Pappas AM, Chair of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, said: ”This is a great opportunity for the Greek Australian community to watch the Olympic Games in the Greek language with a focus on athletes from Greece.”
To watch Stan’s coverage of Paris 2024, including the official Greek channel, customers will need an active Stan Sport subscription. Click here for more details
It’s no secret, the streets of Santorini grow increasingly congested as the weather heats up.
While many have waited their whole lives to witness the island and its blue domes for themselves, for many of Santorini’s 20,000 permanent residents, the once utopian island has now been spoiled by mass tourism.
As other popular holiday destinations, including Venice and Barcelona, take a stand against mass tourism, Santorini depicts the severely detrimental impact hoards of visitors can have on a place.
Athinios Port in Santorini. Photo: Ferryhopper.
With over three million visitors a year, business owners and facilities themselves find they’re under immense pressure as they were not built to be equipped to cater for such a capacity.
The fallout from this pressure has forced authorities to consider a cap on visitors.
According to Ekathimerini, the second-generation owner of a 14-room hotel, Georgios Damigos expressed his concerns over the annual flocking of tourists. “Our standards of living have gone down. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
“Santorini is a wonder of nature” that risks turning into “a monster,” Mr Damigos said.
Actress Jennifer Aniston took to Instagram on Wednesday to express her shock after comments Trump’s running partner, JD Vance made in 2021 about childless women resurfaced.
The tweet quoting JD Vance said, “childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives… [have] no direct stake [in America].”
Photo: @jenniferaniston / Instagram.
“Mr Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day… I hope she will not need to turn to IVF as a second option. Because you are trying to take that away from her, too,” Jennifer Aniston wrote in response.
JD Vance slammed Ms Aniston’s “disgusting” comments, due to his daughter’s infant age. He also expressed his support of conception through IVF.
These comments come after Ms Aniston announced her struggles with IVF in 2022.
Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese confirmed on Sunday his new-look Cabinet and ministry, with some pivotal ministers scrapped from their prominent roles.
Tony Burkehas been appointed Home Affairs and Immigration Minister, as predecessor Clare O’Neil will now oversee the portfolios for housing and homelessness. Mr Burke is also the government’s leader of the house.
Taking over Mr Burke’s former portfolio, Senator Murray Watt was promoted to lead Employment and Workplace Relations.
While Tasmanian Franklin MP Julie Collins lost the housing and homelessness portfolios to Ms O’Neil, she will continue to hold the role of Minister for Small Business and will add agriculture, fisheries and forestry to her portfolio.
We'll keep building an Australia where no-one is held back and no-one is left behind. pic.twitter.com/SKzRGx0O1h
Andrew Giles has exited his position in Immigration, moving to the Minister for Skills and Training ministry, which is not a cabinet position.
Pat Conroy has been moved into the Cabinet and is now the Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery and Minister for International Development and the Pacific.
Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy is now Minister for Indigenous Australians following Linda Burney’s decision to retire at the next election.
New South Wales Senator Jenny McAllister was given two portfolios, and is now the Minister for Cities and Emergency Management.
The reshuffle was announced alongside the news that Anthony Albanese will take the new-look Cabinet and ministry to the next election.
Having concluded day two of the Paris Olympics, here are some notable updates on Greece‘s progress in the 2024 Summer Games so far.
Rowing Single Sculls
Stefanos Ntouskos has qualified for the men’s single culls quarterfinals, after placing second in his preliminary heat. He covered the 2km course in seven minutes, 1.79 seconds.
The promising Ntouskos won a gold medal for Greece in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Greek athlete Stefanos Ntouskos advances on the first day of the Paris Olympics. Photo: Hellenic Olympic Committee.
Artistic Gymnastics
Olympic gold medallist Lefteris Petrounias was the first member of the Greek team to compete in Paris over the weekend. His performance was witnessed by Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Grabowski-Mitsotakis (his first Olympic visit since 2004).
Petrounias’ score of 14.800 and difficulty rating of 6.300 saw him through to fourth place in the preliminaries, securing his spot for the gymnastics rings final on Sunday, August 4.
Basketball
Greece fell short of a win against pre-game favourite Canada, with a final score of 86-79 in the national basketball team’s opening Group A game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points for Greece, 18 in the second half, and Kostas Papanikolaou added 17, but none in the final period.
Canada had three players foul out, while Calathes’ foul out did the same for Greece.
Greece is set to face Spain and Australia this week.
Shooting
In the women’s 10-meter air pistol, Anna Korakaki and Christina Moschi failed to advance to the finals. Korakaki will however, have a second chance at a medal in the women’s 25-meter air pistol.
Swimming
Greece’s Katerina Dountounaki and Sofia Damasioti did not qualify for the semifinals of the women’s 100-meter butterfly.
🎾Ο Στέφανος Τσιτσιπάς δυσκολεύτηκε απέναντι στον Βέλγο Ζιζού Μπερχς, αλλά τελικά πήρε τη νίκη με 2-1 σετ και το «εισιτήριο» για την επόμενη φάση (7-6, 1-6, 6-1). 👉Στην επόμενη φάση θα αντιμετωπίσει τον Βρετανό, Ντάνιελ Έβανς (νο 59 στον κόσμο). pic.twitter.com/RH8eNVhdsp
— Ηellenic Olympic Committee (@HellenicOlympic) July 28, 2024
Tennis
Stefanos Tsitsipas has qualified for the second round of the Olympic tournament in a 2-1 set win over Zizou Bergs. The Greek champion recovered his lead after losing his footing in the second set, ending the gruelling match at 7-6(6), 1-6, 6-1.
Maria Sakkari prevailed against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic in a delayed match due to poor weather conditions. In the second round of the tournament, Sakkari will face Yuan Yu.
Η Εθνική πόλο ανδρών κέρδισε την Ρουμανία 14-7 στην πρεμιέρα της στους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες του 2024, με την ελληνική ομάδα να μην αντιμετωπίζει το παραμικρό πρόβλημα, ξεκινώντας με τον καλύτερο τρόπο το τουρνουά.#TeamHellas🇬🇷 #waterpolo#paris2024🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/ob9R4HhooD
— Ηellenic Olympic Committee (@HellenicOlympic) July 28, 2024
Water Polo
Led by Thodoris Vlachos, Greece’s men’s water polo delegation claimed victory over Romania with a 14-7 win in Group A of the Olympic tournament in Paris.
This comes after Greece’s silver medal win in the event in Tokyo.
The Paris Olympics committee have released an apology to those offended by a scene that mirrored Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper during the 2024 opening ceremony.
Da Vinci’s painting shows the moment when Jesus Christ declared that an apostle would betray him.
The scene displayed on Friday, July 27 at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony featured DJ and producer Barbara Butch – an LGBTQ+ icon – surrounded by drag artists and performers.
French actor Philippe Katerine appearing as the Greek god Dionysus. Photo: The Australian.
The scene received global condemnation from religious communities worldwide.
Australian journalist Carla Efstratiou was among the angered who criticised the controversial interpretation as a “sign [that] the West has officially fallen.”
Ms Efstratiou took to social media to express her disdain toward the “mockery of Christianity.”
In response to this controversy, the opening ceremony’s artistic director Thomas Jolly said, “My wish isn’t to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock… I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide.”
