Greek FM Slams Israel, "We don't take lessons from murderers"
A diplomatic rift has erupted between Israel's ambassador to Greece and the mayor of Athens over graffiti calling for the murder of Israelis. The ambassador accused the mayor of inaction, while the mayor fired back, invoking civilian deaths in Gaza.
TwitterA public dispute unfolded on social media Sunday between Israel's ambassador to Greece, Noam Katz, and Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, sparked by inflammatory graffiti in the Greek capital calling for violence against Israelis.
In an interview with Greek media, Ambassador Katz criticized Mayor Doukas for failing to adequately address the issue, accusing him of not doing enough to "protect his city from minorities, clean the streets, and ensure Israeli tourists feel safe." Katz highlighted specific graffiti messages, including one urging to "hunt all Israelis" and another stating "Kill Zionists – Save Lives," which he described as blatantly antisemitic.
The ambassador's remarks drew a sharp rebuke from Doukas on the social platform X (formerly Twitter). "We do not accept lessons in democracy from those who kill civilians," the mayor wrote. "Athens, the capital of a democratic country, fully respects its visitors and supports the right of its citizens to freedom of expression."
The exchange highlights growing tensions amid rising reports of antisemitism in Europe, particularly in the context of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Israeli officials have repeatedly called on European leaders to crack down on hate speech and vandalism targeting Jewish communities and visitors.
Photos of the graffiti, captured from screens and circulated online, show the messages scrawled on urban walls, fueling concerns among Israeli travelers about safety in popular tourist destinations like Athens. Neither the Israeli embassy nor the Athens mayor's office provided immediate further comment on the matter. The incident comes as Greece maintains strong diplomatic ties with Israel, though public opinion on the Middle East conflict remains divided.
A Greek TV host was infuriated with her government's handing of rising antisemitism, noting that it decreases Israeli tourism to the country, and that it's celebrating terror.
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