Athens, Greece. Greece has rejected Turkish media reports claiming Israel is considering buying or leasing islands in the Aegean, with diplomatic sources saying the allegations are untrue and without basis.
Reports and Greek response
The response followed a report by Turkish broadcaster CNNTurk that Israel was exploring the creation of “safe havens” for its population outside the country, with Greek islands presented as a possible option.
Greek foreign ministry officials said the claims repeat older scenarios that have surfaced before without official confirmation from either Greece or Israel.
Reported links to Israeli political discussions
According to the reports, the proposal was linked to discussions within Israeli political circles, including figures associated with former deputy Israeli prime minister Benny Ganz’s Blue and White party and individuals connected to the Jewish National Fund.
The idea involved the possible purchase or long-term lease of uninhabited islands to be developed as emergency evacuation sites in the event of a security crisis linked to Iranian missile threats.
Sovereignty and past claims
Greek diplomatic sources dismissed the assertion that any such proposal has been discussed at a government level, stressing that matters of national sovereignty and territorial integrity are not open to negotiation.
They added that similar claims date back to 2012 and 2022 but were not pursued.
Reaction from the north
The north’s ‘foreign minister’ Tahsin Ertugruloglu criticised the reported scenario, calling it “a repetition of the plan to occupy Palestine” and saying it reflects “a flawed mentality”.
He said such a move would aim to “encircle Turkey” and the north, adding it could be considered a “casus belli”.
What do you think should be the next step when unverified reports raise sovereignty concerns?
