August 4, 2025 | 07:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Athens Mayor Haris Doukas clashed with the Israeli Ambassador to Greece on Sunday, accusing the city government of not doing enough to clean up antisemitic graffiti.
Ambassador Noam Katz told Kathimerini in comments published on Sunday, as reported by The Times of Israel, that Israeli tourists felt "uncomfortable" in Athens because Mayor Haris Doukas did not address the "organized minority" that put up anti-Jewish graffiti.
Doukas responded within hours, "We have proved our strong opposition to violence and racism and we do not take lessons in democracy from those who kill civilians."
"Athens, capital of a democratic country, fully respects its visitors and supports the right of free expression of its citizens," added the mayor from the Socialist PASOK party.
"It is revolting that the ambassador concentrates on graffiti (that is clearly wiped off) while an unprecedented genocide is taking place in Gaza," Doukas asserted.
Greece, along with several other European countries, has witnessed several pro-Palestinian demonstrations led by left-wing groups. A cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists around the Greek islands was met with demonstrations in several ports.
Despite implementing pro-Arab policies for decades, Greece has strengthened its relationship with Israel since 2010, especially in the security and energy sectors.
Since the Gaza genocide began in October 2023 with Hamas' attacks on Israel, an increasing number of Israelis have been visiting Greece and starting to invest in its property market.
According to the Athens Mayor, the number of Israeli citizens granted residency in Greece through property purchases increased by 90 percent last year.
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