Greek Opposition Backs Mayor in Escalating Dispute with Israeli Diplomat

Tensions between the Israeli ambassador to Greece and the mayor of Athens have escalated into a political controversy, drawing in opposition parties and prompting calls for government intervention. The dispute began after Israeli Ambassador Noam Katz accused Athens authorities of failing to remove anti-Semitic graffiti, stating in an interview with Kathimerini that Israeli tourists felt “uncomfortable” in the Greek capital due to what he described as inaction toward “organized minorities” responsible for the offensive messages.

Mayor Haris Doukas, a member of the center-left PASOK party, quickly responded via social media....