Anti-Semitic graffiti spray-painted on walls of Athens Jewish Cemetery

·

Neo-Nazi slogans were spray-painted on the walls of a Jewish cemetery in Athens, Greece, on Sunday, prompting a swift response from authorities and a solidarity visit by Greek parliamentarians.

The German words “Juden Raus,” or “Jews out,” were quickly erased by municipal workers acting under the instructions of Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis, gaining expressions of gratitude from the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece (KIS).

KIS responded to the desecration with a statement saying, “Nazism has no place in our democracy, mainly because it promotes its destruction along with the prevalence of the total violation of human rights.”

READ MORE: Giannis Antetokounmpo graffiti disgraced with Nazi symbols by vandals

“We express the certainty that the Greek State will take all necessary measures so that the perpetrators will be arrested and face justice,” the statement added.

“We will not be intimidated. Zero tolerance for Nazism,” it declared.

The incident prompted a visit to the cemetery by a group of Greek MPs, who held a moment of silence at the site’s monuments to Holocaust victims and Greek-Jewish soldiers who were killed in World War II.

Daniel Benardout, general treasurer and member of the KIS Presidium, told the MPs, “In the first hours after the hate attack launched against the Jewish cemetery of Athens, I express the Greek Jewry’s gratitude towards the representatives of the Greek Parliament whose presence here today has made their condemnation and sorrow explicitly clear.”

The United States Embassy in Athens denounced the desecration of the cemetery, tweeting, “The US Embassy condemns the repugnant vandal attack and anti-Semitic graffiti found at the Jewish Cemetery of Athens. We stand together against voices of hate & intolerance.”

Sourced By: The Algemeiner

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Matt Pillios named Kay & Burton’s 2025 Victorian Agent of the Year

Star real estate agent Matt Pillios has reclaimed his place at the top, being named Kay & Burton’s 2025 Victorian Agent of the Year.

Greek astronomer to present at Melbourne seminar on preserving the stars

For millennia, humanity has looked up in awe at the night sky, finding in its silent beauty a profound source of inspiration.

Historic Plaka landmark from iconic Greek film to be restored

The “Kokovikos House,” is named after the fictional couple in Giorgos Tzavellas’ bittersweet classic starring Konstantinou and Kontou.

Melbourne’s Sunday morning strollers walk, talk and keep Greek alive

On a crisp Sunday morning at Merri Creek, a group of walkers from the Sunday Morning Strollers, winds its way along the leafy green trail.

A sweet favourite: Niki Louca’s authentic baklava recipe

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for baklava with The Greek Herald.

You May Also Like

Michael Kratsios sworn in as head of White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Michael Kratsios has been officially sworn in as the new head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

Greek pilot jailed and charged with murder

Babis Anagnostopoulos was led to jail on charges of two felonies, murder and animal abuse, and two misdemeanors.

People seek refuge on rooftops as flood sweeps through Crete

Heavy flooding on the Greek island of Crete damaged roads, flooded hundreds of homes, and swept cars into the sea amid ongoing torrential rainfall.