Greece, along with the majority of EU member states, voted in favor of Palestine’s participation with enhanced partnership status in the UN General Assembly. Specifically, 143 countries, including Greece, voted “yes,” while 9 countries voted “no,” and 25 countries abstained.

The negative votes came from Israel, the United States, Hungary, Argentina, the Czech Republic, and some small Pacific nations.Abstentions included, among others, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

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Greece’s vote, as noted by government officials, does not imply recognition of a Palestinian state in the UN, nor does it constitute bilateral recognition. Greece submitted an explanatory statement for its vote, which, among other things, emphasizes that the positive vote is based on the principle that the resolution of the Palestinian issue must be the result of mutual agreement based on the two-state solution.

It is further noted that the best way to end violence and combat extremism is to create a sustainable political horizon for the Palestinians, a horizon that simultaneously guarantees Israel’s security.