Concern in Israel over the planned pro-Palestinian protests in Greece next Sunday, August 10. However, there have been no cancellations of reservations. Read the DW report…
“Day of Rage”. This is how the Israeli media characterizes next Sunday, August 10, during which demonstrations in favor of Palestine are planned in many cities in Greece. On this occasion, Greece has been in the headlines of Israeli news in recent days.
Characteristic of the climate that is taking shape in Israel was the extensive report that was broadcast yesterday on state television, in which Israeli travelers at the Tel Aviv airport were invited to express their concerns, shortly before starting their vacation in Greece.
“I know I have to hide that I am Jewish…”
Opinions varied. Everyone was aware of the Sunday demonstrations, but, as they said, “they had made their reservations months ago and could not postpone them until later.” A young Israeli woman stated that “she knows that for her personal safety it would be good to hide her Jewish origin while she is in Greece.” She added, however, that “the summer in Greece does not change that at all.” Almost jokingly, an elderly Israeli said that “this year he will avoid the anti-Semites of Athens” and will prefer the small islands and the Greek countryside. “There the people are simple and are not bothered by the Jews,” adding that “the Greeks are a kind people who love the Israelis.” Finally, some more “practical” ones declared that next Sunday they will “spend it in the hotel pool” and avoid being on the street “until the storm passes.”
However, since yesterday, a detailed list of the times and locations of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Greek cities next Sunday has been circulating on local websites and various Facebook groups, so that Israeli tourists can avoid them.
Critical period of September-October
So far, there have been no mass cancellations. According to official figures from Tel Aviv airport and local tourist offices, a total of 161,000 Israelis visited Greece in July, or one in five who traveled abroad for vacation. Athens came first in preferences with 49,226 visitors, Crete second with 33,791, followed by Rhodes (31,454), Thessaloniki (11,655) and Corfu (10,308).
However, the peak of the tourist flow from Israel to Greece is expected in the two months of September-October, the period of Jewish religious holidays, and tourist reservations are being made now. So, if there are any reductions in tourist reservations by Israelis in Greek hotels due to the current protests, this is expected to be observed mainly after August and until the end of October.
Gabriel Charitos Correspondent of the Greek DW Editorial Team in Jerusalem
