Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni has sought to reassure Israeli visitors that Greece remains a safe destination, following a warning by the country’s Jewish community over what it described as a series of incidents targeting Israeli tourists and people displaying Jewish symbols.
The Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, known by its Greek acronym KIS, expressed “deep concern” in a statement issued in Athens on August 13 over recent incidents in Athens and other parts of the country.
KIS said the incidents were aimed at intimidating Israeli tourists and people who wear Jewish symbols or speak Hebrew. Its statement followed a series of confrontations involving Israeli visitors, as well as attempts to block Israeli tourists at ports in Greece.
The organization called on the Greek state to take all necessary measures to protect citizens and visitors from racist and antisemitic violence and to bring those responsible for violations before the justice system.
Kefalogianni subsequently sought to reassure Israeli tourists, insisting that Greece remains a safe and welcoming destination. “Racist and violent acts are punished in an exemplary fashion, receive full condemnation and have no place in our democracy,” she said.
“Greece remains a fully safe, hospitable and open destination … for Israeli citizens and all other visitors,” she added.
The minister’s comments came amid heightened concern over incidents involving Israeli visitors during the peak of Greece’s summer tourism season. Israeli travelers have also been advised to remain cautious ahead of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Greece.
KIS Draws Line Between Criticism of Israel and Antisemitism
In its statement, KIS made a clear distinction between criticism of the Israeli government and actions directed against Jewish or Israeli individuals.
“Criticism, even harsh criticism, of the actions of the Israeli government and statements by government officials does not constitute antisemitism,” the organization said.
However, it warned that some groups had gone beyond political criticism.
KIS expressed particular concern about organized actions directed “against Israelis and Zionists,” saying that threats of physical violence and rhetoric targeting people because of their Jewish identity or Israeli nationality had created an atmosphere of intimidation.
The organization also cited attacks against Israeli citizens and people displaying Jewish symbols, as well as efforts to prevent Israeli tourists from entering ports in different parts of Greece.
It said such actions violated both the law and principles of hospitality and freedom of movement.
Call for Protection of Visitors and Citizens
KIS called on Greek authorities to ensure the protection of both citizens and visitors “from every form of racist or antisemitic violence” and urged political and social institutions to condemn incidents that it said undermine democracy, the rule of law and Greece’s image as a safe country.
The statement reflects growing concern within Greece’s Jewish community over the potential consequences when protests over the war in Gaza move from criticism of Israeli government policy toward confrontations involving individual Israeli visitors or people identified as Jewish.
Kefalogianni’s subsequent intervention sought to address the other side of that concern: whether recent events could affect Greece’s reputation among Israeli travelers.
Greece has become an increasingly important destination for Israeli tourists and maintains close political, economic and strategic ties with Israel. The challenge for Greek authorities is to protect the right to peaceful protest while ensuring that visitors are not targeted because of their nationality, language or religion.
Related: Cyprus and Greece Record EU’s Highest Levels of Antisemitic Attitudes
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