Deflecting Criticism of Surge of Antisemitic Graffiti in Greek Capital, Athens Mayor Accuses Israel of ‘Genocide’

A diplomatic rift has erupted between Israel and Greece after Israeli Ambassador Noam Katz accused Athens Mayor Haris Doukas of failing to confront a surge in antisemitic graffiti across the city.

In response, Doukas escalated tensions with inflammatory rhetoric, accusing Israel of killing civilians and deflecting attention from the issue entirely.

In an interview with Kathimerini — one of Greece’s leading daily newspapers — published Friday, Ambassador Katz said Israeli tourists have increasingly reported feeling “uncomfortable” in Athens due to antisemitic slogans and symbols left unaddressed by local authorities. He blamed “organized minorities” for the vandalism and warned that the city’s inaction sends a dangerous message of tolerance for Jew-hatred.

Mayor Doukas responded hours later on X, writing: “We have proved our strong opposition to violence and racism and we do not take lessons in democracy from those who kill civilians.”

He later doubled down, accusing Ambassador Katz of focusing on graffiti “that is clearly wiped off” while “an unprecedented genocide is taking place in Gaza.” He added: “We do not accept lessons in democracy from those who kill civilians and children waiting in food lines, from those who lead dozens of people to death in Gaza every day through bombs, hunger, and thirst.” Doukas also claimed that Athens “fully respects its visitors and supports the right of free expression of its citizens.”

Δε δεχόμαστε μαθήματα δημοκρατίας από όσους σκοτώνουν αμάχους.

Η Αθήνα, πρωτεύουσα μιας δημοκρατικής χώρας, σέβεται απόλυτα τους επισκέπτες της και υποστηρίζει το δικαίωμα της ελεύθερης έκφρασης των πολιτών της.

Ως δημοτική αρχή της πόλης έχουμε αποδείξει την ενεργή αντίθεση… pic.twitter.com/gQz0oPGotA

— Haris Doukas (@h_doukas) August 3, 2025

The exchange drew sharp criticism from Jewish organizations and Israeli officials, who condemned the mayor’s deflection and the use of Gaza-related rhetoric to sidestep growing concerns about the proliferation of antisemitism in the Greek capital. Labeling Israel’s war against Hamas as “genocide” reflects a broader trend of Holocaust inversion, where Jewish victims are recast as perpetrators to demonize the Jewish state.

Since October 7, Athens has seen a marked rise in antisemitic incidents, including the vandalism of Israeli-owned businesses, assaults on Hebrew-speaking tourists, and harassment of Israelis at local beaches. Protesters have also attempted to block Israeli cruise ships from docking at Greek ports on multiple occasions.

While Greek officials have occasionally condemned these acts, enforcement and cleanup efforts at the municipal level remain inconsistent, particularly in central Athens, where antisemitic graffiti frequently appears in public view.