Israel should purchase islands in Greece for wartime security; Israeli leade

Jerusalem: A senior leader from the ruling party advised, ‘Israel should purchase islands in Greece as the secured shelter for its population, in the event of a missile attack by Iran in the coming times. These islands will prove like heaven for the people of Israel.’ The Israeli leader was addressing a Jewish congregation against the background of the Ukraine-Russia war.

Last week, the outgoing chief of the US CENTCOM General Kenneth McKenzie revealed some sensational information regarding Iranian missiles. McKenzie said that Iran possesses 3,000 missiles that can hit Israel directly. The senior US military official had claimed that Iran had hidden these missiles in caves in the mountain ranges. Israel leaders and media had taken cognisance of the statement and started discussing the issue.

Discussion regarding these missiles was held during the Jewish National Fund (JNF) meeting connected with the Blue and White party of Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz. JNF works to collect money for purchasing lands for the Jewish people beyond the Israeli boundaries. During the last week’s meeting, Avri Steiner, a senior leader from Gantz’s party, presented his plan in front of the JNF.

Steiner suggested that there are nearly 40 uninhabited islands near Greece. These islands in the Mediterranean Sea and the Greek marine region belong to Greece and Israel should purchase them. Steiner claimed that if a missile attack is launched on Israel, the people from the country can be safely moved to these islands. Steiner cited the second Lebanon war and the missile attacks launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip last year.

Hezbollah’s missiles had landed in the city of Netanya during the war, which lasted for 33 days in the year 2006. Steiner pointed out that Hamas’ missiles had landed in the cities near the west bank last year. Iran and its affiliated terrorist groups can target important Israeli cities with missiles in the coming times. Against this background, Steiner suggested that the Greek islands could be an excellent option.

In 2021, the Greek Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund indicated leasing out 40 islands for a minimum of 50 years. But no country came forward for leasing or buying these islands. Israeli daily Maariv Daily reported that although the Israeli leader raised the issue of island purchase during the meeting, other leaders present in the JNF meeting disapproved of the proposal.