Israel and Greece Sign Status of Forces Agreement

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon met with Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos at the Defense Ministry on Sunday to sign a status of forces agreement between their two countries. The agreement offers legal defenses to both militaries while training in each other’s respective countries. The only other country Israel has this type of agreement with is the United States.

Also during the meeting, the two officials discussed the future of bilateral defense ties between Israel and Greece. They also addressed recent developments in the region, such as the economic challenges that Greece currently faces, the continuing global terrorist threat, and the nuclear deal between the P5+1 and Iran. Israel and Greece committed to maintaining good relations and practicing joint training exercises in order to combat these challenges together.

“Greek people are very close to the people in Israel,” Kammenos said, adding that terrorism and jihad are present outside of the Middle East, especially in the Balkans, which could potentially threaten Greece.

Ya’alon agreed. “Terrorism is terrorism is terrorism. Today it is directed against someone else, and tomorrow it reaches you,” he warned.