By Rabbi Dow Marmur
JERUSALEM–Athens and Jerusalem are the two code words that describe the poles of Western civilization, viewed by some as being in perennial conflict, by others seen in fruitful dialogue. The Jewish version of the ongoing struggle between Hellenism and Hebraism in whatever guise, under whatever name and in whatever time period sides with the latter and either opposes or cautions against the former.
Reflecting the perennial tension, crass politics rather than sophisticated philosophy, Athens as the capital of modern Greece and Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state have been at odds for most of the time that Israel has been in existence. Until a few years ago, Israel cultivated Turkey, the most secular of the Muslim states. The two countries developed strong political, military and economic ties.
As a result Greece, Turkey’s prime adversary, was cool and even hostile to Israel. Formal diplomatic relations were only established 18 years ago and there’s no evidence that there was much love lost. Greek media are said to have consistently promoted popular anti-Israel resentment and worse.
As the relationship between Turkey and Israel soured, so the ties between Greece and Israel became stronger. Living by the principle that my enemy’s enemy is my friend, Greece now warmed to Israel. Or was it Jerusalem that courted Athens?
The new ties seem to be in the interest of both. Israel needs as many allies in the region as it can muster; having lost one it’s happy to have gained another. Greece has close ties with the Arab world and therefore is a potential conduit. The two prime ministers have already visited each other and not long ago, joint military exercises were held. Having Greece on its side is also to have another much needed ally in the increasingly hostile European Union.
Israel is also very pleased with the agreement it signed only the other day with (Greek) Cyprus that will allow for joint explorations of the rich natural resources reported to be buried underneath the waters that divide the two countries. Needless to say, Turkey has protested.
Greece stands much to gain, too. Apparently believing in the myth of Jewish power, it hopes that Jerusalem’s allegedly special relationship with Washington will support the cause of Athens, especially in Greece’s current very precarious economic situation and in its ongoing feud with Turkey.
As Israeli tourists now feel less than welcome in Turkey, they’ve taken to traveling to Greece. Some 250 000 will have visited the country this year, a 200% increase. And even more are likely to come in the future.
We know that the primary purpose of every government is to serve its own interests. If political constellations change, bygones easily become bygones. Dare one hope that it could also happen between Israel and its Arab neighbours once both realize that it’s in their best interest to be friends, even without love?
After all, despite the antipathies of Egyptians and Jordanians toward Israel (again fuelled by the media) and vice versa, there’s peace between Israel and the two Arab states. Something similar could happen between Israel and Syria, Israel and Lebanon and, of course, Israel and the Palestinian state.
Expediency appears to be a stronger reason for hope than ideology.
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Rabbi Marmur is spiritual leader emeritus of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. He now divides his year between Canada and Israel.