A normalization of Greek-Israel diplomatic relations was seen here today as a major consequence of the Greek exodus from Egypt under pressure of President Nasser’s socialization program.
Greek reservations about Israel, resulting in only de facto recognition, stemmed from concern over the large Greek minority in Egypt. A majority of the Greeks, who formed the elite and merchant element of Egyptian society, are now leaving by the thousands for Greece. The departure is eliminating the barriers to full Greek recognition of Israel.
During the past week, two leaders of the Greek labor movement, P. Makris, secretary-general of the Greek Labor Federation and C. Lacaaris, his political secretary, arrived in Israel as guests of the Histadrut, Israel’s Labor Federation. They promised to make every effort to improve relations between the two countries.
The Mayor of Athens arrived today for a visit as a guest of the Foreign Ministry and of mayors of four Israeli cities. Such visits were expected to contribute toward fostering friendly ties between Israel and its “great neighbors across the Mediterranean,” as Labor Minister Yigal Allon said in welcoming the two Greek labor leaders.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
