'Israel is a true miracle of humanity' - Greek minister shifts from antisemitism controversy to vocal support for Israel

Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis has become one of Israel’s most outspoken supporters within the European Union.

Speaking after attending an event hosted by the Israeli Embassy on May 19 marking Israel’s 78th Independence Day, Georgiadis praised the country’s achievements and described Israel as “a true miracle of humanity.”

“Israel is a true miracle of humanity, a country with a mature democracy, amazing economic, technological and scientific achievements,” the Greek minister wrote on 𝕏. He also welcomed Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this month and criticized segments of the Greek left that called for a boycott of Israel while continuing to follow the competition.

“In every other case, they demand a boycott, but they continue to watch the competition,” he argued.

Before entering government, Georgiadis was known as a publisher and television host focused on literary programming. His past statements and associations have at times drawn criticism.

In 2013, he faced scrutiny for promoting the book "The Jews: The Whole Truth," written by lawyer and author Kostas Plevris, a controversial figure who publicly described himself as a “Nazi, fascist, racist and antisemite.” At the time, Greece was struggling economically and Georgiadis, who entered politics, made remarks referencing Jewish influence in the banking sector and Greece’s foreign debt, comments that critics characterized as antisemitic.

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2017 – nearly a decade ago – Georgiadis publicly apologized to Greece’s Jewish community for his past promotion of antisemitic views and literature. In the years that followed, he emerged as a vocal supporter of Israel and Jewish communities, frequently speaking out against antisemitism and advocating for stronger Greek-Israeli relations.

“In the past, I lived alongside and tolerated the views of people who showed disrespect to my Jewish fellow citizens, and therefore I feel the need to apologize to the Jewish community. I am even more sorry that I supported and promoted the book of Kostas Plevris. The Holocaust of the Jewish people is the greatest shame of our modern civilization,” he said.

The Greek minister’s support for Israel and the Jewish people became even more pronounced following the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. In a 2025 interview with the Greek news site To Manifesto, Georgiadis described Jerusalem as a “Jewish city” and characterized Israel as “Greece’s main strategic partner” against the Turkish government. He argued that strengthening ties with Israel serves Greece’s national interests, particularly amid ongoing tensions with Turkey and concerns in Athens over Ankara’s regional policies.

In July 2025, Georgiadis condemned the actions of anti-Israel activists who threatened Israeli tourists on a cruise ship.

“We owe an apology to those friends of Greece who chose to spend their vacation here and were forcibly prevented from doing so. Our country remains hospitable to all, and antisemitism has no place here,” he wrote in a post on 𝕏.

Israeli Deputy Minister Sharren Haskel recently described Greek-Israeli relations as “flourishing” during a visit to Athens. She also praised the local Greek Jewish community for its resilience amid growing anti-Jewish sentiments across Europe, saying, “The Jewish community is absolutely incredible… they’re combating challenges to make sure that what’s happening in Europe will not happen in Greece,” Haskel stated.