|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Anti-Israel activists are pressing Greek police to open a war crimes probe against a 29-year-old Israeli tourist injured after a group of Palestinian men attacked him in Athens, Greece.
The confrontation broke out on Saturday in Syntagma Square in central Athens. Afterward, police detained the Israeli man, his sister, and three Palestinian men. Officers also seized six plastic poles from the Palestinians. Both the Israeli man and one Palestinian needed hospital treatment for their injuries.
The Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), a group that pursues legal complaints against Israelis abroad, issued a statement after the incident. HRF chairperson Dyab Abou Jahjah alleged that the tourist had served in the IDF’s Golani Brigade, which he accused of committing “atrocities” during the Israel-Hamas war.
Baseless Allegations Against Former IDF Soldier
According to HRF, the tourist “probably violated international humanitarian law” because Golani units fought in Gaza. Yet at 29, he would not serve in a regular combat brigade. Most Israelis his age serve in the reserves rather than active infantry units. However, even if he had served in an active combat unit, that would not amount to a violation of international law. On the contrary, he and his fellow soldiers would have been defending Israel against a terrorist organization that murdered more than 1,200 people and kidnapped over 250 hostages on the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.
Instead of targeting Hamas for its crimes, including the systematic use of civilians as human shields and the embedding of Hamas fighters in schools, hospitals, and UN facilities, anti-Israel activists seek to criminalize Israelis who defend their people and their land. This inversion of justice exposes their true aim: to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist and to turn its victims into the accused.
“We are calling on the Greek authorities to uphold their legal obligations under international law by opening an investigation into David Hadar’s potential involvement in war crimes,” Abou Jahjah declared.
He further claimed that the Athens episode reflected “a broader pattern whereby individuals who have taken part in atrocities in Palestine are displaying the same aggressive behavior abroad.”
Local Protests and Court Proceedings
Meanwhile, the activist group Gaza Is Here defended the Palestinian men involved in the incident. It claimed the media engaged in “propaganda” by portraying them as aggressors. The group, which has held rallies at Syntagma Square for three months, demanded the release of additional security footage.
It also announced plans to protest outside the courthouse. However, the arraignment originally set for Monday was postponed until September 23.
Greek police charged the three Palestinians, aged 25, 26, and 27, with dangerous bodily harm motivated by racism. They also charged the Israeli man with simple bodily harm and making racist threats. His sister received charges for racist insults.
Israeli Authorities Monitoring Case
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed it is following the case. However, it remains unclear whether consular assistance is being provided. The Israeli Embassy in Athens has not issued a public statement.
This case demonstrates how anti-Israel activists weaponize legal systems abroad to smear Israelis with fabricated allegations of war crimes.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
