Israel Warns Citizens in Greece to Exercise Caution Amid Nationwide Pro-Palestinian Protests

The Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry have warned Israeli citizens in Greece to remain vigilant and avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols. The warnings come ahead of a coordinated nationwide series of pro-Palestinian protests scheduled for Sunday. These demonstrations, described by organizers as a day of rage or a national day of action, are planned for dozens of locations including major cities, islands, and tourist hotspots.

Organizers, including BDS Greece and March to Gaza Greece, are calling for a boycott of Israel and demanding that the Greek government impose an arms embargo and sanctions on Israel. Some activists are specifically targeting Israeli tourism and military cooperation. The Diaspora Affairs Ministry identified the arrival of the cruise ship Crown Iris in Agios Nikolaos and a planned march from Monastiraki Square to Syntagma Square in Athens as high risk areas. The ministry noted that activists are using a decentralized strategy and a dedicated Telegram network to coordinate these events.

Israeli officials recommended that visitors avoid protest sites, refrain from posting their real time locations on social media, and avoid friction with demonstrators. This follows a similar warning issued last year for a similar event that passed without major incident. While the protests are framed by organizers as a response to genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank, Israel strongly rejects these accusations, stating that its military operations began after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.