Following a series of hostile incidents directed at Israelis across the country and a sharp warning from local Jewish leadership, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni has stepped in to reassure prospective travelers.
"Greece guarantees the safety of all visitors," Kefalogianni declared, emphasizing that the country remains a "completely safe, welcoming, and open destination for Israeli citizens and all other visitors."
The minister made clear that law enforcement will take a zero-tolerance approach toward hate-driven aggression. "Racist and violent acts are exemplarily punished, meet total condemnation, and have no place in our democracy," she said.
Her response came shortly after the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece (KIS) - the statutory representative body of Greek Jewry established in 1945 - sounded the alarm over an escalation in targeting.
The Council cited a "series of severe incidents" on the streets of Athens and other regions, designed to "intimidate and terrorize Israeli tourists and citizens wearing Jewish symbols or speaking Hebrew." KIS raised specific concerns regarding organized groups that "no longer hesitate to threaten physical violence" while employing rhetoric reminiscent of classic anti-Jewish propaganda, including claims that accusing Jews and Israelis of "genocide" serves as a tool of intimidation.
Highlighting that these actions transcend standard political protest, the Council stressed: "The attacks against individuals holding Israeli citizenship and against anyone wearing Jewish symbols, as well as the blocking of Israeli tourists at various ports across the country, constitute a blatant violation of the law and of the principles of hospitality and freedom of movement."
The warning follows demonstrations targeting Israeli cruise ship passengers, individual harassment, and anti-Israel graffiti appearing in major urban centers. KIS cautioned that such trends threaten Greece's international standing and urged state authorities to prosecute offenders.
Local tourism figures, however, suggest the atmosphere on the ground tells a different story.
"The Tourism Minister is right, Greece is safe for Israeli tourists and for every tourist," Zamir told Walla last Thursday. "The islands are full of thousands of Israelis who are relaxed and enjoying themselves in Greece. There are currently over 200,000 Israelis in Greece and we haven't heard about any antisemitism - on the contrary."
Zamir added that the Council's statement does not align with the reality experienced by visitors: "This organization does not represent the views of most Israelis in Greece, neither those living here nor the tourists."