Greece and the Palestinian–Israeli Conflict: A Discursive Constructivist Perspective

Abstract

This paper applies a discursive constructivist framework in the analysis of Greece's foreign policy towards the Palestinian -Israeli conflict. It will be shown that this policy has been shaped by four discourses: a historical discourse, which emphasizes Greece's special linkage with the region; a geopolitical discourse, which associates Greece's foreign policy with questions about its broader international orientation; a security discourse, which constructs the Middle East as another field where the antagonistic Greek -Turkish relationship evolves; and a discourse on justice, which highlights the ethical dimension of the conflict. The interaction between these four discourses has traditionally led to a proPalestinian inclination, which is still evident, despite the attempts of Greek governments to pursue a more equidistant approach.

Geopolitical Transformation in Eastern Mediterranean; Restructuring Role of Greece and the Impact of Abraham Accord

“…The Abraham Accords also changed the long-term pro-Palestine approach of Greece towards the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. As studied in detail by Agnantopoulos (2007, p. 359), Greece had valid reasons for adopting a pro-Palestinian approach and ‘unreserved support for the Palestinian cause’ as it voted against the 1947 Partition Plan in favour of Palestine and did not establish full diplomatic relations with Israel for 40 years, ‘consistently criticizing Israel’s ‘expansionist’ policies and calling for a ‘fair’ solution which would acknowledge the ‘legitimate rights’ of the Palestinian people’ (Agnantopoulos, 2007, pp. 359–361).…”

“…6. Such a Greek policy was further reinforced in 1996 ’when the allegation that Israel was simultaneously strengthening its military ties with Turkey brought the nascent Greek-Israeli military cooperation to a temporary standstill’ (Agnantopoulos, 2007, p. 361). In fact, Israel had avoided establishing close relations with Greece and Cyprus in view of Israel’s cordial relations with Turkiye before 2010 (Ozertem, 2016, p. 369).…”

Looking for an Oasis of Support: Greece and the Gulf States

“…While Greece has prided itself on having close historic bonds to the Arab world (Agnantopoulos 2007), this has proved far from enough for promoting collaboration with GCC states. In fact, the region had been neglected by Greek foreign policy-makers until very recently.…”

Contesting Identities, Differences, and a Unified Palestinian Community

“…Hence, there is always a``politics of position'' which``far from being externally fixed in some essentialised past ... are subject to the continuous`play' of history, culture and power'' (page 302). In Athens, for example, Palestinians have benefitted from Greek public and political support (Agnantopoulos, 2007) and the fact that they are living in a place that has relatively close geographical and cultural links with Palestine and the wider Middle East. However, in the process, people may essentialise their`imagined communities' in order to create change.…”