SYRIZA Criticizes Mitsotakis Government Over St. Catherine’s Monastery Controversy

SYRIZA has expressed concern over the recent developments regarding St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, accusing the Mitsotakis government of mishandling the situation. According to SYRIZA, recent judicial decisions by the Egyptian authorities aim to alter the status quo of the monastery, potentially transforming it into a museum and placing its immovable property under restriction. This comes despite reports of an alleged intervention by Prime Minister Mitsotakis during his meeting with Egyptian President Sisi earlier this year. The party highlights that Mitsotakis had publicly thanked Sisi for his personal interest in protecting the monastery’s Greek Orthodox character, even signing a joint declaration emphasizing cultural cooperation between Greece and Egypt. However, SYRIZA argues that the current government’s handling of sensitive ecclesiastical matters reflects both incompetence and a lack of credibility, negatively impacting Greece’s international relations. The party demands immediate clarification from the government on why the Egyptian side deviated from the supposed agreement and calls for decisive action to support the autonomous Greek Orthodox Church of Mount Sinai.