On his first visit to the region, Tzipras came to change that impression and show that Greece is still a friendly neighbor.<br />Meeting with the Israeli leadership, opening a two day tour in Jerusalem and Ramallah, Tzipras praised the importance of the relations between Israel and Greece and showed that the partnership has survived the political change.<br />While in Jerusalem for a meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Tsipras took an opportunity to sign the President's guestbook, writing, " With great honor to be in your historic capital and to meet your excellencies."<br />Because of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and dispute over Jerusalem, many countries refuse to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, much to Israel's displeasure.<br />A former Israeli diplomatic official said that Tzipras' reference to Jerusalem as Israel's capital was "unprecedented, especially for a European leader."
