Conflict in the Middle East, regardless of its scale or duration, is never a distant affair for Greece. Developments involving Israel resonate particularly strongly in Thessaloniki, whose history and present are closely intertwined with the Jewish world.
Before 1943, Thessaloniki was home to a vibrant Jewish community that formed a dynamic part of the city's social and economic fabric, until the Nazis deported and exterminated the majority of its Jews in central European concentration camps. The few who survived returned, sustaining a Jewish presence that remains symbolically and culturally significant. With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Thessaloniki acquired a new role as an alternative refuge should circumstances deteriorate dramatically for Israel.
In recent decades, and especially over the past 15 years following a conscious outward turn under former mayor Yiannis Boutaris, the city has strengthened its ties with Israel. Tourism, investment and social exchanges have grown markedly. Israeli visitors have become a visible presence, investing in the hospitality and real estate sectors. The construction of the Holocaust Museum at the site of the old railway station formalises Thessaloniki's global Jewish significance.
In that context, a short-lived conflict would likely mean continuity, with Israeli tourism and investment in Thessaloniki proceeding much as in the past decade. A prolonged, geographically broader war, though less likely, could have more complex consequences. While travel might initially decline, a drawn-out conflict could prompt some Israelis to consider relocation. Greece in general, and Thessaloniki in particular, could emerge as an attractive destination for those seeking stability, with potential implications for the city's property market.
Whatever the circumstances, Thessaloniki, described by Mark Mazower as the "city of ghosts", will return to the forefront whenever tensions arise in the Middle East and Israel. The city's Jewish heritage remains deeply rooted, with ties strengthening through visits, economic activity, and the preservation and reinforcement of historical memory.
By Giorgos Mitrakis - adapted from Greek by Vassia Barba
