Racially Motivated Arson Attacks Target Israeli-Owned Hotels and Synagogues in Athens: Greek Police Make Seven Arrests in One Year

In the past year, seven individuals have been arrested by the Greek police in connection with arson attacks on Israeli-owned hotels and synagogues in Athens. The first incident occurred on May 15 when an improvised incendiary bomb was thrown at a building that housed an Israeli-owned hotel and restaurant. The attack was carried out by a 25-year-old Greek woman, two Iranians aged 46 and 36, and a 44-year-old Afghan accomplice. They were charged with arson that endangered human life and causing damage to foreign-owned property in a racially motivated attack.

In another incident on June 18, a 44-year-old Greek man and a 26-year-old Afghan man rode a motorcycle near a synagogue in Athens and threw a flammable substance at its entrance, resulting in a fire. A 30-year-old Iranian was arrested as an accomplice. The three individuals were charged with arson, possession of a weapon, and robbery.

Greek authorities also arrested two men suspected of belonging to a group that planned an arson attack or assault on an Israeli restaurant and synagogue in Athens in March of the previous year. The Israeli Mossad commended the Greek police’s response to these arrests and pointed fingers at Iran for orchestrating the operations.