Israel Issues Warning to Tourists in Greece Amid Pro-Palestinian 'Day of Rage' Protests

Ahead of a planned "Day of Rage" with pro-Palestinian demonstrations across dozens of locations in Greece, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a heightened caution advisory for Israeli citizens in the country. The ministry urged Israelis to remain vigilant, avoid protest sites, and refrain from any confrontations with demonstrators. It also recommended concealing Israeli and Jewish symbols and avoiding real-time social media posts revealing their locations. Citizens were advised to follow local authority updates and comply with security instructions.

In July, approximately 426,000 Israelis visited Greece, with many currently vacationing in Athens. Journalist Amit Kotler, reporting to 103FM, described seeing swastikas graffitied en route to his gym and noted that local authorities have not taken action to remove such hate symbols. He highlighted that the protests are organized by extreme Greek factions opposed to both the Greek government and Israel, not by Arab nationals. Kotler emphasized the importance of avoiding any engagement with protesters and downplaying Israeli identity during this period.

Kotler also painted a surreal picture of the atmosphere in Athens, with anti-Israel graffiti, Palestinian flags, and Hebrew language heard frequently. Despite the discomfort, he noted that Israeli tourists have developed resilience over the past three years and continue to travel, shop, and visit Greek islands without major disruptions. The Greek government, currently in an election year, respects the right to protest and has resisted calls to cancel the demonstrations.

The advisory comes amid ongoing tensions related to the conflict in Gaza, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry aiming to protect its citizens abroad during this volatile time.