The main square in Athens is called "Constitution Square". At every important moment in our history the citizens of Athens gather on this square and then they demonstrate and sometimes these demonstrations can even lead to revolutions. In other words, this square is for us a Symbol.
Precisely on this square, four important gatherings have taken place in the last few years and after them, tens of thousands of people poured out onto the avenues, ending up finally at the American or Israeli Embassy or both of them. The first gathering was against the war in Yugoslavia, the second against the invasion of Afghanistan, the third against the policy of Sharon and the fourth against the war in Iraq.
I was the main speaker at all these gatherings...
So, as you can understand, certain people could hardly wait for an opportunity to punish me, to tarnish my image and moreover to destroy the esteem which an important part of the Israeli people held for me.
As to my friendship and my esteem for the people of Israel, I can only refer to my specific works and my actions, which are well-known in Israel and which are the best proof of how steadfastly and courageously I have always stood at their side, especially in the difficult times they have known, when it becomes obvious who is a real friend.
But I’ve never hidden - even when I was in Israel - my esteem and my friendship for the people of Palestine and my uncompromising conviction that the only way for both people is Peace.
Today, following the war in Iraq, the government of Israel has slipped even deeper "at the root of Evil", having chosen the sad and dangerous walk-on part at the side of the Juggernaut, the war-machine of the USA.
In this critical moment, when the Bush government has decided to tear International Law to shreds, imposing by brute force the "Law of the Strongest", I believe that the elected president, Sharon, is herding the people of Israel down a dangerous road, exactly as in another time Hitler herded the German people down a road which was not only a road of destruction but also a road of shame.
Athens, 5.1.2004
Mikis Theodorakis
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