The Foreign Ministry also urged Israelis to conceal any symbols that could identify them as Jewish or Israeli, as these could increase their visibility and the risk of targeting.
Viki Sarkov, an Israeli resident of Athens, explained to 'Maariv' that the Polytechnic Day protests, which occur annually to commemorate student resistance, were particularly significant this year due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Sarkov emphasized that while there was a heavy presence of security forces to control the situation, she did not feel fearful as long as she avoided high-risk areas.
Other residents, like Shani Werner, noted that while protests in Athens are common on this day, they typically reflect strong local sentiment and are often peaceful. However, Werner also acknowledged the potential for these demonstrations to turn violent, especially with the pro-Palestinian element involved in the current context.
Despite the end of the protests, the National Security Council continues to issue warnings about potential threats to Israeli citizens and Jews in Greece, advising caution. However, there is no specific travel advisory at this time.