Israeli embassy staff in Greece have been evacuated from their homes in Athens. The decision follows protests and rising anger over Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
A senior Israeli security official confirmed the evacuation to Israel Hayom. The official cited “the situation in Greece” as the reason.
Public outrage is growing. Greek citizens are calling for an end to Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.
A major protest movement, March to Gaza, declared August 10 a national day of action. Demonstrations will take place across Greek islands and tourist hotspots.
In a statement, March to Gaza said:
“The Greek people will not remain silent in the face of genocide committed by Israel with the support of the West and the Greek government.”
The movement urged citizens to turn islands, beaches, mountain peaks, and shelters into spaces of solidarity.
The statement also condemned efforts to turn Greece into a safe haven for those who support or participate in the massacre in Palestine.
Tensions spiked after Israel’s ambassador to Greece, Noam Katz, attacked Athens Mayor Haris Doukas. Katz accused the mayor of not doing enough to protect the city from peaceful protesters, whom he called “organized minorities”. He also claimed Doukas made Israeli tourists feel unsafe.
Mayor Doukas responded sharply on social media:
“We don’t take lessons in democracy from those who kill civilians and children standing in food lines.”
He added that Athens has always opposed violence and racism.
For weeks, anti-genocide protests have spread across Greek islands. In Syros, protesters blocked the Israeli cruise ship Crown Iris from docking. Several protests were also reported across the country.
