Greece denies reports of Israeli plans to buy or lease Aegean islands

Greece has rejected reports in Turkish media claiming Israel is considering buying or leasing islands in the Aegean, with diplomatic sources stating to regional media on Sunday that “these allegations are untrue” and have no basis in reality.

The response came after Turkish broadcaster CNNTurk reported that Israel was exploring the creation of “safe havens” for its population outside the country, with Greek islands presented as a possible option.

Greek foreign ministry officials said the claims are a repetition of older scenarios that have previously surfaced without any official confirmation from either Greece or Israel.

According to the reports, the proposal is linked to discussions within Israeli political circles, including figures associated with former deputy Israeli prime minister Benny Ganz’s Blue and White party and individuals connected to the Jewish National Fund.

The idea involved the possible purchase or long-term lease of uninhabited islands to be developed as emergency evacuation sites in the event of a security crisis linked to Iranian missile threats.

However, Greek diplomatic sources have dismissed the assertation that such proposal has been discussed at a government level, stressing that matters concerning national sovereignty and territorial integrity are not open to negotiation.

They added that similar claims date back to 2012 and 2022 but were not pursued.

The north’s ‘foreign minister’ Tahsin Ertugruloglu criticised the reported scenario, describing it as “a repetition of the plan to occupy Palestine” and claiming it reflects “a flawed mentality”.

He said such a move would aim to “encircle Turkey” and the north and added it could be considered a “casus belli”.