UN expert warns Greece: Israel exploiting your fears of Türkiye for its own gain

United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese issued a sharp warning to the Greek government and public during a visit to Athens, arguing that Greece’s security concerns regarding Türkiye are being exploited by Israel for its own strategic purposes. Presenting her book “When the World Slept,” Albanese criticized Greece’s growing military and political alignment with Israel. “You think you chose Israel to give you peace guarantees against your external enemy or rival, Türkiye. I believe the opposite is true: Israel chose you. They will exploit your fears and your sense of insecurity for their own interests, because that is how Israel operates,” she said.

Criticism of complicity

Albanese also reminded her audience that Israel uses Palestinian territories as a “laboratory for weapons and spyware,” with technologies tested there later sold to countries like Greece. She called for accountability for those facilitating such trade. She also condemned Greece’s inaction regarding the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Crete, stating that the Mediterranean is becoming a “graveyard not only for refugees but for human rights and international law.” She noted that allowing Israel’s unlawful actions violates European law.

Greek spokesperson cornered

Separately, Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis was pressed by a journalist about large warships operating off Crete. “Are you telling me the Greek government is unaware of these warships? If these were Turkish ships tomorrow, would you notice? What is the intelligence agency doing?” the journalist asked. Marinakis avoided a direct answer, accusing the journalist of “populist rhetoric” and stating that “this assessment stems from a misunderstanding.” Unable to confirm whether the government knew of the ships, he instead defended the security forces. For Türkiye, Albanese’s remarks vindicate Ankara’s longstanding position that some EU members are being manipulated by third parties to undermine regional stability.