SWC Statement Regarding Greek Authorities Who Prevented Attack on Jewish Targets on Eve of Passover

March 29, 2023

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is commending Greek authorities who apprehended two men accused of planning terrorist attacks on a Jewish restaurant in central Athens and other targets that would have caused mass casualties. The two suspects both entered Greece illegally from neighboring Turkey and have been in the country for at least four months. Israel’s Mossad, which aided the Greek investigation, said the two were part of an Iranian terror network.

 

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean and director of global social action at the SWC, issued the following statement: 

 

“Grateful to Greek authorities for preventing deadly targeting of Jews in Athens.  The combination of anti-Semitism and global terrorism - often indicates that the murderous Iranian regime was involved. It is no secret that Iran and its terrorist lackeys have targeted Israeli tourists in Turkey and elsewhere.

 

Passover is the festival celebrates the Exodus of Israelite slaves from ancient Egypt. This year, Jewish families the world over will gather for the Seder on April 5th.  We will recall our ancient roots, commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and remember the 30 Israelis murdered by Palestinian terrorists in Netanya in 2002. 

 

So, in 2023, as gather for the festive Seder meal, celebrating the birth of our people, the threats of more terrorism combined with surging anti-Semitic hate crimes in Europe and the US will be weighing on the minds of Jews around the world.”

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Shawn Rodgers at srodgers@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization numbering over 400.000 members. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).