Athens Mayor, Israeli Ambassador Clash Over Antisemitic Graffiti Response

A dispute has erupted between Athens Mayor Haris Doukas and Israeli Ambassador to Greece Noam Katz over antisemitic graffiti in the city. Katz accused the mayor of failing to adequately address graffiti by "organized minorities" that make Israeli tourists feel unwelcome. In response, Doukas defended Athens as a democratic city that respects free expression and emphasized that graffiti is promptly removed. He criticized Katz for focusing on graffiti while an "unprecedented genocide" occurs in Gaza, rejecting what he called "lessons in democracy" from those he accused of killing civilians. Despite tensions, Athens has seen a significant increase in Israeli visitors and investors, with a 90% rise in Israelis obtaining Greek resident permits through property purchases last year. The dispute reflects broader regional sensitivities amid ongoing Gaza conflict and Greece's complex relations with both Israel and pro-Palestinian constituencies.