Evangelos Apostolakis welcomes his son at the airport — Among the 27 Greeks arrested in Israel

Independent MP, erstwhile Minister of Defense, and erstwhile Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, Evangelos Apostolakis, was astatine Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” yesterday day to invited his son, Alexandros Apostolakis, who was among the 27 Greek citizens detained successful Israel aft taking portion successful the Global Sumud Flotilla — a ngo aiming to present humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Alexandros Apostolakis was 1 of those held successful situation pursuing the interception of the planetary solidarity flotilla disconnected the seashore of Gaza. Speaking contiguous to OPEN TV, Evangelos Apostolakis commented connected the incidental and expressed his enactment for the activists’ goals.

“As some a begetter and a subordinate of the Hellenic Parliament, I americium obliged to accidental that I endorse immoderate enactment aimed astatine promoting bid and supporting radical who are facing genocide,” helium said.

Criticism of the Government’s Reaction

Apostolakis criticized the Greek authorities for what helium described arsenic a “lukewarm response” regarding the detention of the 27 participants by Israel.

“All governments should support, commend, and item specified initiatives — not hinder them,” helium said. “The absorption of the Greek authorities was alternatively muted. The Foreign Ministry kept america precise good informed, but the initiatives taken were somewhat… timid. The Turks acted immediately, without overmuch hesitation. Israel should person treated the Greek citizens differently, particularly since we supposedly person an fantabulous strategical relationship. Yet, contempt everything happening, the voices from our state person been alternatively restrained.”

On the Treatment of the Detainees

Commenting connected the attraction of the detained activists — including the Greeks — portion successful Israeli custody, Apostolakis was sharply critical:

“Their behaviour towards them was unacceptable. Frankly, that thug — I can’t picture him different — the Israeli Minister of Security, subjected them to unbelievable bullying. Then they handcuffed them. What were they expected to be? Terrorists? They were placed successful a situation for terrorists. It’s outrageous.”

Warm Welcome successful Athens

At the airport, a ample assemblage gathered holding banners successful enactment of the activists. Alongside Evangelos Apostolakis, Euclid Tsakalotos and Zoe Konstantopoulou were besides contiguous to invited them. Among those who returned to Greece was Peti Perka, MP for the New Left party.