Failure of Anti-Israel Protests in Greece: Chronicle of Events

The anti-Israel protests announced for August 9 in Greece, organized by BDS Greece and the local Palestinian community, failed. The most notable march took place in Athens from Monastiraki Square to the parliament, a few hundred people came out in Chania, Crete, and less than ten in Thessaloniki. On Mykonos and Rhodes, there were almost no protesters. Israelis in Greece showed no concern, and locals are friendly to tourists.

The anti-Israel protests announced for August 9 in Greece, organized by several public and human rights associations, including BDS Greece and the local Palestinian community, failed. The organizers had declared plans to hold marches in more than 100 localities across the country. Against this backdrop, the Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a warning for citizens and the Jewish community, recommending they stay away from rallies and not display national or religious symbols. However, Israelis living in Greece treated the situation without panic, noting the traditionally benevolent attitude of the local population towards tourists. The height of the summer season and school holidays did not predispose Greeks to participate in the actions. The real picture confirmed the forecasts: the most notable march took place in Athens from Monastiraki Square to the parliament building on Syntagma Square. In Chania, Crete, a few hundred people came out. In Thessaloniki, the action gathered less than a dozen participants, and on Mykonos and Rhodes there were practically no protesters. The Greek publication in.gr estimated the total number of protesters at several thousand, but official police data were not published.