In a world undergoing great turmoil the week at the United Nations made it clear that Greece is not alone.
It has alongside it a strong country, experienced in the art of warfare, with considerable political and economic influence in the world: Israel.
The benefits of the Greece-Israel alliance became abundantly clear during the past week, at the opening of the UN proceedings, when Israel assumed the role of defender of the rights of Greece and Cyprus.
In his speech at the UN, Netanyahu stated that Turkey “illegally occupies” northern Cyprus and that Erdoğan is violating Greece’s rights.
Apart from Trump’s speech at the UN, which embarrassed America, the most important development was the exchange of accusations between the Turkish President and the Israeli Prime Minister.
Harsh, hostile accusations, made from the official UN podium before an international audience.
And to underscore the special relationship between Greece and Israel, Mr. Mitsotakis met with Netanyahu, precisely to emphasize the closeness of their relations.
Thus, the alliances that have taken shape are now clear:
On one side are Greece–Cyprus–Israel, and on the other Turkey–Saudi Arabia–Pakistan.
America is somewhere in the middle, since on the one hand it is very closely tied to Israel and on the other is Turkey, which is testing its strength as a regional power and playing games with Putin.
Yet America cannot, and does not want to, cut Turkey loose from its orbit.
Israel was already the overwhelmingly powerful force in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Now, however, it has become even more powerful, partly replacing America, which, following the humiliation it suffered in Iran, is reducing its role in the Middle East.
As Israel-Turkey relations continue to deteriorate, to the point where even a war between them cannot be ruled out, Greece’s alliance with Israel is becoming the major deterrent that would cause Turkey to avoid confronting Greece.
The other side of the coin, of course, is that in the event of an Israel-Turkey conflict, it is likely that we would become involved as well. But that is what alliances have—and must have—to offer.
And, in any case, having Israel on our side, it is the best ally in war that we could wish to have.