Former Israeli Lawmaker Confronted in Antisemitic Incident in Greece

Former Knesset member Ayelet Nachmias-Verbin, currently chair of the Jewish Agency's Fund for Victims of Terror, experienced a severe antisemitic encounter during a visit to a museum in the Greek islands. An elderly woman, overhearing Nachmias-Verbin and her companions speaking Hebrew, approached them and initiated a confrontation. The woman first asked if they were speaking Hebrew, and upon receiving an affirmative answer, began shouting, "I support Palestine." Nachmias-Verbin responded that she was a "tenth-generation Israeli," but stated that she was met only with accusations and no attempt at a substantive discussion.

The aggressor continued to shout rudely, claiming her political science studies gave her "all the knowledge." Nachmias-Verbin called her "completely ignorant" and attempted to de-escalate, urging civility due to the presence of a small child with the woman. When Nachmias-Verbin mentioned she was half-Greek, the woman retorted, "You are Jewish, not Greek." The incident escalated when the woman told the child with her, "They are Jewish."

Nachmias-Verbin described the event as a "demonstration" for those who doubt the existence of "historical, deep-rooted antisemitism, completely unrelated to Israel." She reported that the woman persisted, approaching her again in the museum and attempting to show her a picture with "eyes full of malice." At this point, Nachmias-Verbin raised her voice and demanded the woman step away. Museum visitors and staff intervened, asked the woman to leave, and offered Nachmias-Verbin assistance.

"I was shaken and hurt," Nachmias-Verbin shared, adding, "Especially by the fact that it is clear to me that she is raising the next generation of Jew-haters." As she was leaving, Nachmias-Verbin thanked the staff, one of whom told her in Greek, "Greeks do not cry." Nachmias-Verbin replied, "I am half-Greek and Jewish, so one eye is crying and one is not."

Nachmias-Verbin told Walla Tourism that the incident brought back painful family memories. Her grandparents, Greek citizens, fled Thessaloniki in 1933 due to severe antisemitism. However, she emphasized that she does not believe this incident represents the general Greek attitude towards Israelis, thanking the museum staff for their support and the Greek government for its "strong friendship with Israel."