Greece, once a sharp critic of Israel and an outspoken supporter of the Palestinians, has drawn much closer to Israel this year, signing agreements that have deepened their political, economic and military ties. The rapprochement between Athens and Jerusalem follows growing tensions between Israel and Turkey, which spilled over after a May 31 Israeli commando raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla that left nine Turks dead.

The alliance between pro-Israel and pro-Greek groups comes amid growing anger with Turkey on Capitol Hill, where many lawmakers support Israel and criticize Turkey, a NATO ally, for voting against new sanctions on Iran at the United Nations in June.

In an initial show of force, the two ethnic lobbies helped push House passage of a resolution calling for the protection of Greek Orthodox religious sites in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus. Turkey’s 1974 invasion and occupation of northern Cyprus has long been a major issue for Greek-American groups, but the Israel lobby had not spoken out on the issue until now because of its earlier strategic alliance with Turkey.

“With Turkey becoming increasingly antagonistic to the rule of law and moving eastward, it behooves both Greece and Israel to bond together and forge a strategic relationship that strengthens the security of each nation,” Florida Republican Gus Bilirakis told a Washington audience last week. Bilirakis chairs the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, a group of lawmakers who support Greece and its allies.

by Jonathan Broder

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