Shocking Details of a Violent Attack on a Disabled Israeli Veteran in Athens
An Israeli man and a group of his attackers were all arrested by Greek police following a pro-Palestinian demonstration. The Israeli man's partner claims he was treated as a dangerous criminal despite being the victim, raising concerns about their safety and legal representation.
An Israeli man and his sister were taken into custody in Athens after the man, a disabled IDF veteran, was violently attacked by a group of four men with a Palestinian flag. The assault occurred on Saturday, and while Greek police arrested the suspects, they also detained the Israeli man and his sister.
The man's partner, Coral, described the harrowing incident. "The event started while there was a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Syntagma Square," she said. "Suddenly, a few protesters approached us and started to provoke us. My partner tried to ignore them to avoid trouble, but then they jumped on him with sticks, knocked him to the ground several times, and he was injured all over his body."
Coral expressed her dismay at how the couple was treated by authorities. "Instead of arresting the attackers, they took him and his sister in handcuffs as if they were criminals." She said her partner spent the night in a hospital under heavy security "as if he were dangerous," while his sister was held in a detention center.
Coral further highlighted the alarming conditions and the perceived injustice. "They are treating them as if they are dangerous criminals. They were taken in handcuffs. We don't know where they were all day, whether they were given food or water at all." She said even their lawyer did not have clear answers. "If their father hadn't hired a private lawyer and paid out of his own pocket, there would be no one to represent them and look after their rights."
According to Coral, the attackers were of Arab origin and continued to provoke the Israeli man's sister and their lawyer even after being apprehended. "My partner is bruised, on his face, hands, and legs, and this is while he is a disabled IDF veteran. The treatment here in Athens is simply appalling," she said.
The couple was scheduled to appear in court again, having been transported on a bus full of detainees, including their attackers. Coral noted that the attackers are known to local police but are often released, while her partner was left to face the justice system as a criminal despite having been severely beaten.