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Israelis in Greece told to hide Jewish symbols ahead of nationwide protests
Foreign Ministry urges tourists to keep a low profile as demonstrations are planned at dozens of locations popular with Israelis
Israeli tourists in Greece have been urged to keep Jewish and Israeli symbols out of sight as pro-Palestinian demonstrations are planned across the country.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued the warning on Sunday ahead of a nationwide “day of rage”, with protests expected at dozens of locations, including areas popular with Israeli holidaymakers.
Visitors were advised to stay away from demonstrations and large crowds and not to become involved in confrontations.
“Given the expected scale of the protests and the possibility of large gatherings and disturbances, the Foreign Ministry recommends that Israeli citizens in Greece exercise increased vigilance, stay away from protest sites and large gatherings, and avoid any friction or confrontation with demonstrators,” the ministry said.
“It is recommended to keep Israeli and Jewish identifying symbols discreet and to avoid posting your location in real time on social media.”
The alert comes during the peak summer holiday period, when Greece is a particularly popular destination for Israelis. Nearly 50 flights were due to depart Ben-Gurion Airport for Greece on Sunday, according to Israel Airports Authority data cited by The Times of Israel.
The demonstrations were promoted by BDS Greece, which called for protests around the country over the war in Gaza.
Announcing the action on Facebook, the group said protesters would “fill the entire country with Palestinian flags, keffiyehs, and slogans”.
It also called for Greece to impose sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel and to end military cooperation between the two countries.
Israel rejects accusations that it has committed genocide in Gaza. The war began after the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.
The Foreign Ministry issued a similar warning ahead of a day of pro-Palestinian action in Greece last year. Those demonstrations passed without a major incident, according to The Times of Israel.
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