Former prime minister Antonis Samaras called on the Greek government to diplomatically capitalize on Israel’s decision to unanimously recognize the massacres of Armenians during World War I as genocide.

Samaras, a prominent conservative figure and former leader of the country, described the move as a “brave step” that fulfills a historical obligation by acknowledging the genocide Armenians suffered in the final years of the Ottoman Empire. He argued that it creates momentum for Israel’s eventual official recognition of the genocide of Greeks by the Ottoman Empire—specifically referencing the Greeks of Pontus, Thrace, and Asia Minor.

In remarks carried in Greek media, Samaras said such an initiative would act as a “decisive barrier” against what he characterized as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s neo-Ottoman expansionist plans, which he said target Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Kurdish people as well. He concluded that the Greek government should convey its strong support to the Israeli government for taking similar steps.