Greece says it is safe for Israeli tourists despite attacks, tourism minister insists

Greece's tourism minister Olga Kefalogianni has sought to reassure Israeli visitors that the country remains safe, after a number of incidents targeting tourists sparked condemnation from the Greek Jewish community.

Speaking on Friday, Kefalogianni said the state "guarantees the safety" of all visitors and stressed that hateful conduct will not be tolerated.

"Racist and violent acts are punished in an appropriate manner, receive full condemnation and have no place in our democracy. Greece remains a completely safe, hospitable and open destination… for Israeli citizens and all other visitors," she said.

Concerns from the Jewish community

The Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece (KIS) voiced deep alarm over what it described as "the series of serious incidents that have recently taken place on the streets of Athens and in other regions of the country, with the aim of intimidating and terrorising Israeli tourists and citizens who wear Jewish symbols or speak Hebrew." The organisation warned the incidents damage Greece's reputation as a safe destination for everyone.

KIS added that "Deep concern is caused by the actions of organised groups... who no longer hesitate to threaten physical violence, with slogans that call for the most vulgar form of Judeophobic propaganda, launching slanderous allegations of genocide in order to intimidate and terrorise people of the Jewish faith," and said attacks and blockades directed at Israeli nationals and people wearing Jewish symbols "represent an obvious violation of the law and the principles of hospitality and freedom of movement."

The board concluded by calling on Greek authorities to "take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of citizens and visitors from any form of racist or antisemitic violence and to bring the perpetrators before Greek justice."

Photo: Ayhan Mehmet / AFP / Profimedia