According to JTA, the Israeli Embassy in Washington hosted the new Congressional Hellenic Caucus:
WASHINGTON (JTA) – The Israeli ambassador in Washington hosted the launching of a new congressional grouping dedicated to improving Israeli-Greek-Cypriot ties. Attending the launch Wednesday were the co-chairmen of the newly established Hellenic-Israel Caucus, Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), as well as lawmakers including Reps. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) and Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the senior Democrat on the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee. Greek-Cypriot-Israeli ties have become closer in recent years as tensions between all three nations and Turkey have intensified for varying reasons. Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren in his remarks at the dinner at his residence touted shared economic and strategic interests among Greece, Cyprus and Israel.
The reception comes against the backdrop of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s declaration that Zionism—and, by extension, the existence of the State of Israel—is a “crime against humanity.” In response to that statement, Namik Tan, Turkey’s ambassador to the United States (and a former Turkish ambassador to Israel) said… Nothing. Requests by journalists for his reaction were ignored.
As to the Congressional Turkey Caucus, chaired by Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Steven Cohen (D-TN), and Gerry Connolly (D-VA)? It has yet to issue any statement, although several members did enjoy a reception at the Turkish ambassador’s house. But there has apparently been no statement from the caucus about the recent actions of the Turkish government or the statements of its prime minister.
Congratulations to Representative Bilirakis and Deutch for starting this caucus. Realism requires the United States regularly assess its interests in the region and recognize that U.S. policy is ready for a recalibration. Neither caucus should be about a popularity contest between Greece and Cyprus on one hand, and Turkey on the other, but rather about how to strengthen U.S. national security. Let us hope, therefore, that the Hellenic Caucus will speak up should it ever need to react to provocations from Athens, in a way that the Turkey Caucus has never been willing to do.
"The Israeli ambassador in Washington hosted the launching of a new congressional grouping dedicated to improving Israeli-Greek-Cypriot ties." n nSilly on the face of it. If Israel wants to improve ties with Greece and Cyprus let them do it themselves. This attempt to punish Turkey is feeble. And the fact remains that Israel needs peaceful ties with Turkey and is continuing to try and mend the breach between the two nations regardless of nonsense spouted by the Turkish pm.
Turkey under Erdogan is a regional neighborhood brat, threatening Israel, Greece, Cyprus & Armenia. They all have ancient history in the region which Turkey does not have plus, Israel, Cyprus & Greece have common economic & strategic interests especially vis-a-vis Turkey.
Can someone explain what Congression caucuses like the Turkish one are all about? The members of the Turkish one can be expected to favor Turkey when that country's interests conflict with others like Cyprus and Greece, with whom it has had longstanding and bitter differences? Is the caucus in effect a "fan club" and cheerleaded for Turkey's admission to the EU? Do they carry Turkey's water in Congress?