Two Israeli Teens Detained in Greece After Helping Friends in Fight

Liam Maman and Yonatan Koren, two Israeli teenagers about to enlist in the military, were arrested in Crete, Greece, after assisting fellow Israelis involved in a late-night altercation. The incident occurred in Malia, a popular destination among young Israelis. According to Yonatan's mother, Einav, the boys were in their hotel room when they heard Hebrew shouting and let a group of Israelis seeking help inside. The group had been targeted after singing "El El Israel" and faced anti-Israel hostility, leading to a confrontation outside a local venue.

The families explained that the youths inside the room tried to protect themselves as a larger group pursued them, some wielding objects. Liam and Yonatan opened their door to the distressed Israelis and locked it behind them. After the event, the two teens assured their families they were safe and planned to return to Israel as scheduled. However, the next morning, a hotel maid discovered a crowbar left behind by one of the visitors, took a photo, and alerted the police.

More than ten officers then stormed the room and arrested Liam and Yonatan on suspicion of possessing a weapon, despite the crowbar not belonging to them. Both families have since traveled to Greece, hired a local lawyer, and are focusing on securing the boys' release. They have launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the unexpectedly high legal expenses. Einav emphasized that the boys only intended to help and never anticipated such serious consequences.