Israeli embassy's school donation in İskeçe sparks debate over Greece statement
Israel's Embassy in Athens has drawn criticism in Greece after announcing a donation of educational technology to a church-affiliated school in İskeçe (Xanthi) and declaring that “Greece is on the right side of history” in a message marking the country's October 28 national holiday.
According to Turkish-language newspaper Millet Gazetesi, the announcement was made as part of an initiative titled “Ohi – Honouring courage, inspiring future generations,” which aims to recognise Greek educational institutions, communities or social initiatives associated with courage, freedom and solidarity.
The embassy said this year's donation would provide modern educational technology and equipment to the Model Ecclesiastical Junior High School and Lyceum of Xanthi, in cooperation with Greece's Ministry of Education.
DONATION MARKS GREECE'S OHI DAY
October 28, known as Ohi Day, commemorates Greece's rejection of an Italian ultimatum in 1940, a defining moment in the country's entry into the Second World War.
In its statement, the Israeli embassy highlighted the Greek people's resistance and their defence of freedom. It also referred to Greeks who protected and rescued Jewish people during the Holocaust, describing their courage as a factor strengthening ties between the two peoples.
The donation forms part of the embassy's initiative to commemorate the historical significance of the day through support for an educational institution.
ONLINE REACTIONS FOCUS ON ISRAEL'S POLICIES TOWARDS PALESTINIANS
The announcement prompted critical reactions in the comments section of Greek newspaper Efimerida ton Syntakton (Efsyn), according to Millet.
Many of the comments cited by the Turkish-language outlet focused on Israel's policies towards Palestinians and the civilian toll of the war in Gaza. Some readers questioned the embassy's invocation of historical resistance and Holocaust memory in light of the current conflict.
Other comments referred to the deportation of Thessaloniki's Jewish community to Nazi concentration camps during the German occupation of Greece. The discussion also included ideological exchanges and broader arguments about the relationship between historical memory and contemporary politics.
The reactions represent comments published beneath the Efsyn article and should not be interpreted as a representative survey of Greek public opinion.
SCHOOL SELECTION RAISES QUESTIONS
The choice of a church-affiliated school in İskeçe (Xanthi), in Western Thrace, has also attracted attention. However, the embassy's reported announcement does not provide detailed criteria explaining why the institution was selected.
There is therefore insufficient information to establish whether the choice was motivated by a specific political or diplomatic consideration.
The episode illustrates how a commemorative initiative combining education, historical memory and international relations can generate controversy when viewed against the backdrop of current events in the Middle East.
