Title: Antisemitic Attackers Flee in Fear of an Orthodox Cross in Greece
Introduction
Antisemitic aggression and intolerance are unfortunately nothing new, with instances of hate-fueled attacks on Jewish individuals, institutions, and communities occurring too frequently across the world. In a disquieting display of cowardice, unidentified assailants launched an assault on an Israeli man in Greece, who found solace in the sanctity of the Orthodox cross worn on his necklace, sending the attackers fleeing in disarray.
Background
Recently, anti-Semitic incidents and demonstrations have garnered increased attention globally. Israel’s ambassador to Germany recently accused Berlin of being guilty of ignoring a sharp rise in anti-Semitism amid increased support for the Palestinian liberation movement. Similar incidents have been reported throughout the region, prompting concerns among Israeli expatriates residing abroad, especially in Europe and Greece, whose anti-Semitic inclinations date back to the devastating aftermath of the Greek Civil War. Greece and Israel have maintained bilateral ties and engaged in diplomatic partnerships on numerous fronts, including mutual cooperation and exchange programs aimed at combating hate crimes against all persecuted communities.
The Latest Attack
An Israeli national sustained serious physical harm in what was later confirmed to be a botched robbery turned anti-Semitic hate crime. In the early afternoon of Saturday, August 15th, at an open-air eatery on the Athens waterfront (Plaka, near the central police headquarters), an assailant accosted a 51-year-old Jewish tourist, believed to be traveling in the region along with a few close friends who happened to be vacationing elsewhere.
Security authorities reported at a recent press conference the victims wore an Orthodox gold-plated cross pendant hanging on his chain, which upon its presence startled the attackers.
Per official records, the robbers retreated rapidly, leaving without grabbing a single item other than abandoning the loot. Forensic examiners are assessing crime scenes to apprehend a couple suspected to be a black-inked male sporting sunglasses with black clothing during an interrogation process.
In-depth Examination of Incidents
After closely studying several incidents of varying brutality within Greece, coupled with various local reports shared, security specialists suggest that anti-Jewish crimes and threats are generally triggered by regional socio-politics of varying scales. It comes down to either political persuasion (usually of left-wing sentiment, not that there’s any substantial direct relationship with anti-Semitic feelings) or what a recent expert analysis claims has ‘rooted themselves firmly’ within a few scattered far-left organizations. Another plausible angle to explore (should security personnel and media scrutinize each case at least with more thorough assessments and fact-finding).
While security experts are looking forward to learning more about and uncovering information behind these recurring cases of targeted aggression against Jewish, mostly of them (or to state accurately), these Greek-observing analysts hope Greek leaders would be forthcoming, even the most in their understanding, on this complicated web and make it quite visible so everyone knows which the correct place they stand amidst. Greek and Israeli intelligence, they assert, must put additional strain on collaboration and a multi-part cooperation, specifically sharing all possible data across regions (regional to continental to worldwide) involving and within.
To address fears for those at risk at Jewish temples and institutions with police escort protection, local experts hope. To make local public education initiatives a staple feature by implementing hate hate-based activities as part both these plans to ensure hate-related problems fade away after many other issues are set by education to address more successfully within.
Conclusion and Analysis
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bkukfktur