Greece (Palestine Foundation Information Center), Left-wing opposition parties in Greece have strongly criticized the government’s signing of a nearly €3 billion air-defense agreement with Israel, known as the “Achilles Shield,” arguing that the deal deepens Athens’ dependence on Israel at a time when the Israeli government is carrying out what they described as genocide in the Gaza Strip and violating international law in the occupied West Bank.
The SYRIZA party said the New Democracy government had chosen to increase Greece’s dependence in defense and military affairs on an Israeli government that is “committing genocide, ignoring the response of international organizations, and violating international law in the West Bank.”
The party criticized Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias for describing the agreement as a move to “strengthen Greece’s deterrence capabilities,” questioning the extent to which the deal would actually enhance Greece’s strategic autonomy.
SYRIZA asked whether Greece could develop a strong, economically sustainable and nationally controlled air-defense system without relying on other countries.
It further questioned whether the country was genuinely gaining greater strategic autonomy or instead becoming part of Israeli and US missile- and air-defense systems within a framework of mutual strategic dependence with Israel.
The party also criticized the nearly €3 billion defense expenditure as lacking transparency and placing a burden on Greek taxpayers. It called on the government to disclose the technical details of the agreement and explain how it would guarantee Greece’s strategic autonomy.
Opposition to the Agreement
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also criticized the agreement, describing it as “another dangerous decision” by the New Democracy government that would accelerate preparations for war and deepen Greece’s involvement in what it called imperialist plans and US and NATO strategies in the region.
The party said that Greece’s “strategic relationship” with Israel was fueling tensions in the disputes between Greece and Türkiye in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean.
It also warned that the agreement, worth approximately €3 billion, would impose a significant burden on the Greek people.
Israel and Greece signed the €3 billion military agreement on Monday, under which Israel will establish a multilayered air-defense system in Greece.
The Israeli Defense Ministry said the system would include David’s Sling and SPYDER, developed by Rafael, as well as the Barak MX system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
