First Greeks Repatriated from Israel, Others Coming Soon
Ninety Greek citizens were repatriated from the war in Israel and arrived in Athens in the early hours of Monday.
According to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 149 registered Greeks were in Israel, 81 part of two organized tours.
Speaking from the Joint Council of the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Muskat, Oman, Greek Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis ensured the rest of the Greeks will return from Israel immediately and safely.
“Already 90 people returned yesterday and the rest who remain will return in the next period. The Greek state will stand by the people so that they can safely return home,” he said while making a statement to Greek state broadcaster ERT.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the embassy and the consulate general, ensures that the Greeks who are in Israel will return safely,” he added.
Minister: Greece stands by Israel
During his statement, Gerapetritis said “Greece stands by Israel, which has the right to defend itself against these inhumane acts”.
Moreover, the Greek minister pointed out how the Joint Council of the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit is held under “extremely adverse conditions” as it follows the attack against Israel.
“An attack, which does not only constitute a violent interference in the sovereignty of a state, also constitutes an absolutely appalling action, based on what we have seen, against the basic principles of humanity,” he said.
Gerapetritis underlined that during the summit, with his counterparts from the Gulf countries, as well as his counterparts from the European Union, “we will try to find the ways so as to stop the situation that is taking shape”.
Emergency contact numbers for Greeks in Israel and Palestinian territories
– Emergency telephone number of the Embassy of Greece in Tel Aviv: +972544808297
– Emergency telephone number of the Consulate General of Greece in Jerusalem: +972523032253