Israel’s top envoy here, Noam Katz, has sharply criticized Syriza leader Stefanos Kasselakis, for suggesting that only a fraction of Hamas is involved in terrorist activities.
Ambassador Katz vehemently disputed the claim by referencing a harrowing video he posted, which depicted Israeli teenagers being held hostage and mistreated by Hamas.
He rebuked Mr. Kasselakis’ comments made on Attica TV, stating, that “to assert that only a part of Hamas engages in terrorism is like claiming that only a segment of ISIS is terrorist.
“Hamas,” the envoy said, “is a genocidal and murderous organization, responsible for the abhorrent massacre in Israel on October 7th.”
The Greek government strongly condemned Hamas’ attack last October, siding by Israel’s right to self-defense. Still, in recent months, it has also called attention to the humanitarian aspects of the conflict, reflecting a broader European Union perspective and domestic public opinion.
At the United Nations, Greece’s abstention from a vote on a resolution for a humanitarian pause in the conflict between Israel and Hamas underscored the delicate balance the country seeks to maintain between supporting an ally and adhering to international and domestic expectations.