Israeli tourists attacked in Athens for speaking Hebrew, wearing Star of David
Man in 40s reportedly stabbed in the forehead; Foreign Ministry says one assailant fled while the other, ‘Gazan known to have participated in pro-Palestinian protests,’ detained
Two men attacked a group of Israeli tourists in Athens early Saturday after overhearing them speak Hebrew and noticing their Star of David necklaces, the Foreign Ministry said, with one man in his forties reportedly being stabbed in the forehead before police intervened.
None of the victims required hospitalization, according to the Foreign Ministry, which said one assailant fled and was still at large, while the other, a “Gazan known to have participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations,” was apprehended.
Local outlet News 24/7 identified both attackers as Palestinians. The outlet said the detained assailant is 32 years old and being charged with race-based violence, causing bodily harm and violating Greek law on bearing arms.
The attackers reportedly targeted an Israeli couple who had just left a taberna on central Athens’ popular Ermou road. Other Israelis were said to have dined in the restaurant as well.
Uzi Bukai, an Israeli eyewitness quoted by Israel Hayom, reported hearing an Arabic cry right before the attack.
“It was at about 2 or 3 a.m., a man and a woman were attacked,” said Bukai.
Two Israeli were stabbed on Friday on Ermou Street, an upscale shopping avenue that runs through central Athens.
One of the assailants, originally from the Gaza Strip, was apprehended while the other fled the scene. pic.twitter.com/XyfdHvX7NJ
— Breaking News (@TheNewsTrending) February 16, 2025
“We were with a couple of friends and there were other Israelis who exited the taberna,” he said. “Suddenly we heard, ‘Allah Akbar,’ and [an assailant] started stabbing the Israelis.”
“I ran to the Israelis, they said they’d been stabbed. I ran to the cops, they came and intervened,” he added. “If police hadn’t intervened… it would’ve been much worse.”
Athens, a popular destination among Israelis due to its proximity and low prices, has seen several attacks on Israeli tourists since October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed southern Israel to kill some 1,200 people and take 251 hostages.
The Israeli National Security Council’s current guidelines for travel to Greece put the country’s threat level at two, of a possible four, meaning Israelis and Jews are advised to take “increased precautionary measures” there.
Last year, Greek police arrested seven people accused of planning to attack a synagogue and Israeli-owned hotel in central Athens. The year before, Greece detained two people thought to have been sent by Iran to attack a kosher restaurant in the city.
