MeRA25 calls for cancellation of Israeli Embassy donation to school in İskeçe

Greece’s MeRA25 party has called for the cancellation of a planned donation of technological equipment by the Israeli Embassy in Athens to the Ecclesiastical Middle and High School in İskeçe (Xanthi), arguing that the initiative could deepen social divisions in the region.

The party issued its demand in response to the embassy's announcement that it would provide technological equipment to the school as part of an initiative marking Greece's Ohi Day on 28 October.

In its statement, MeRA25 described the proposed donation to a public educational institution as disrespectful and contrary to citizens' democratic sensitivities.

PARTY QUESTIONS POLITICAL MOTIVES BEHIND DONATION

Referring to the situation in Gaza, MeRA25 criticised the policies of the Israeli government and alleged that the embassy was seeking to associate Israel's public image with values such as freedom, solidarity and the anti-fascist struggle through the donation.

The party argued that the initiative could be an attempt to present the Israeli government's policies in a favourable light and influence the views of the educational community.

RELIGIOUS IDENTITIES SHOULD NOT SERVE GEOPOLITICAL INTERESTS

MeRA25 also questioned the choice of İskeçe, particularly an ecclesiastical school, as the recipient of the donation.

The statement highlighted the coexistence of Christian and Muslim communities in Western Thrace, warning that such initiatives risk using religious identities for geopolitical purposes.

The party further argued that involving public schools in such initiatives could contribute to social polarisation and undermine peaceful coexistence.

It also pointed to the involvement of the Greek Ministry of Education in the announced cooperation, saying the government bears responsibility for the initiative.

FOUR DEMANDS FROM MeRA25

MeRA25 outlined four demands addressed to the relevant authorities:

• Immediately cancel any agreement, sponsorship, donation or other form of cooperation with the Israeli Embassy under the initiative.
• Disclose who approved the donation, the criteria and procedures used in the decision, and all relevant terms and conditions.
• Ensure that the Ministry of Education directly provides the school in İskeçe with the technological equipment it needs, as it should for other public schools, rather than requiring students to depend on assistance from governments accused of human rights violations.
• Cancel entirely the Israeli Embassy's sponsorship programme entitled “Ohi – No – Honouring Courage, Inspiring Future Generations”.
• Concluding its statement, MeRA25 stressed that the memory of resistance against fascism belongs to the people and argued that governments accused of crimes against humanity should not be allowed to claim ownership of this historical legacy.

The demands reflect the party's opposition to the proposed donation and its concerns about the political and social implications of the initiative.