In the early hours of Saturday, two men attacked a group of Israeli tourists in Athens after hearing them speak Hebrew and noticing they were wearing necklaces featuring the Star of David, according to Israel's Foreign Ministry. One of the tourists, a man in his 40s, was stabbed in the forehead before police intervened.
None of the victims required hospitalization, the Israeli Foreign Ministry reported. One assailant escaped and remains at large, while the other, identified as a Palestinian "from Gaza known to have participated in pro-Palestinian protests," was arrested.
According to the Times of Israel, citing Greek media, both attackers were Palestinians. The arrested suspect is 32 years old and faces charges of racially motivated violence, bodily harm, and violation of weapons laws.
Two Israeli were stabbed on Friday on Ermou Street, an upscale shopping avenue that runs through central Athens.
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One of the assailants, originally from the Gaza Strip, was apprehended while the other fled the scene. pic.twitter.com/XyfdHvX7NJ
The attackers reportedly targeted an Israeli couple who had just left a tavern on Ermou Street in central Athens, where other Israelis were also dining.
Uzi Bukai, an Israeli eyewitness, stated that he heard an Arabic shout shortly before the attack.
"We were with two friends, and other Israelis were also leaving the tavern," he said. "Suddenly, we heard 'Allahu Akbar' and [one assailant] started stabbing the Israelis."
"I ran to the Israelis; they said they were stabbed. I ran to the police, and they intervened," he added. "If the police hadn't intervened... things could have been much worse."
