“With terrorist attacks, which the Israeli Prime Minister highlighted, is disastrous for Israelis and Palestinians,” SYRIZA president Stefanos Kasselakis said in a statement, adding that Greece must host refugees.
His statement:
“In these difficult times, our thoughts are with the people of Israel and Palestine.
The entire international community must support the message of the UN Secretary-General, who urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint and protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law while supporting, at the same time, every possible diplomatic effort to avoid a wider conflagration.
“The logic of ‘revenge’, regardless of civilian casualties, in dealing with terrorist attacks, which the Israeli Prime Minister highlighted, is disastrous for Israelis and Palestinians.
“In this context, concerted international efforts must be made for a ceasefire to restart talks for a peaceful two-state solution based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state.
The totally reprehensible attack by Hamas has brutally damaged the security of Israelis and Palestinians, and with it, this prospect of restarting talks.
“Heinous acts by Hamas have come to light and should be investigated as war crimes.
“The prospect of a peaceful coexistence of the two states had been systematically undermined in the previous period by the illegal Israeli settlements, the continued occupation of Palestinian territories, and the escalating tension and attacks against Palestinian civilians, with great responsibilities of the Israeli state.
“In this context, the Greek Government must take the initiative to support the victims of the war, offering care to Palestinian and Israeli wounded in Greek hospitals and coordinating the accommodation of families who leave their homes.
“At the same time, it must make every possible effort for peace and stability in the region on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions, as well as stand against war crimes regardless of who commits them.”
The opposition leaders calls for Greece to host refugees come after videos emerged of Hamas supporters on the Greek island of Samos and Kos chanted “Allahu Akbar”, Arabic for “God is Great”, after Saturday mornings disturbing slaughter of Israeli and foreigners.