Europe-Palestine Relations – Greece and Palestine

This report examines Greece's historical and ongoing support for Palestine, shaped by its once-thriving diaspora in Egypt. It highlights Greece's refusal to grant Israel de jure recognition until 1990 and its admission of numerous Palestinian students in the 1970s and 1980s, many of whom settled in Greece and established associations. These organisations formed strong connections with the Palestinian Embassy in Athens and Greek labor unions, effectively integrating into the broader Greek labor and student movements. As a result, they successfully raised awareness among the Greek public regarding the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation. Despite recent rapprochement between Greece and Israel, Greek society continues to express solidarity with Palestine, making it unlikely for any Greek government to sever ties with Palestine or adopt policies that undermine Palestinian interests.