Violent Mob Attacks Israeli Man in Athens for Speaking Hebrew | WATCH

On Monday (June 9th) a violent incident unfolded in Athens, Greece, when a mob of pro-Palestinian supporters allegedly attacked an Israeli man simply for speaking Hebrew on his cell phone. The man was followed through the streets, subjected to threats and slurs, and physically assaulted by dozens of individuals identified as Free Palestine supporters. The attackers reportedly targeted the man after overhearing him speaking Hebrew, escalating the situation into an attempted lynching.

The situation took a further disturbing turn when local police initially handcuffed the Israeli victim upon arriving at the scene. Only after a recording of the incident surfaced did authorities realize their mistake and release him. This error has sparked outrage, with X users like @HenMazzig questioning the safety of Jews in public spaces and emphasizing the necessity of Israel as a refuge, stating, “And you still ask why Jews need Israel?”

This incident occurs following heightened global tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks and Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian protests have surged worldwide, with some, like the Free Palestine Movement, explicitly opposing Israel’s existence and occasionally endorsing violence. In Athens, a May 2025 solidarity march for Nakba Day saw thousands protest Israel’s actions, reflecting the city’s active pro-Palestinian sentiment. However, the targeting of individuals for speaking Hebrew raises serious concerns about antisemitism and the conflation of Jewish identity with Israeli policy.

The attack is eerily reminiscent of a similar incident reported by The Times of Israel on February 16, 2025, where two Israeli tourists were stabbed on Athens’ Ermou Street by Palestinian assailants, one of whom was described as a “Gazan known to have participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.” That attack, which involved a man in his 40s being stabbed in the forehead, was also motivated by the victims speaking Hebrew and wearing Stars of David. One assailant was detained, charged with race-based violence and weapons violations, while the other fled.