The Association of Booksellers and Publishers of the Athens Suburbs (SVEAP), co-signed by the Panhellenic Federation of Publishers and Booksellers (POEB), issued a statement condemning the attack. According to their complaint, on Tuesday afternoon an Israeli man assaulted a publisher after seeing a Palestinian flag displayed at her stand.

“This is yet another incident among the many that have occurred recently throughout Greece, where Israelis visiting or living in our country attempt, violently and aggressively, to suppress any expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are being subjected to genocide by the murderous state of Israel,” the statement read.

The association noted that while “another brutal Israeli attack is under way to erase Gaza and its people from the map, while rescuers retrieve dismembered children’s bodies from the ruins, in our country Israeli tourists provoke and attempt to silence any act of solidarity with Palestine through violence.”

The incident escalated after the attacker, described by the association as a supporter of Zionist ideology, reacted to the flag by calling the publishers “anti-Semitic fascists, Nazis,” and shouting that “there is no Palestine or Palestinian state, only the great state of Israel.” He then spat on the flag, the books, and the publisher herself, hurled vulgar sexual insults, and advanced towards her in a threatening manner. The situation was defused when another publisher intervened.

The statement underlined that such behaviour “is obviously encouraged by the government’s stance, which supports the murderous state. Not only is there no consequence against such actions, but the government threatens instead to use the anti-racist law against those who express solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

At the same time, the association stressed: “We do not identify every Israeli citizen with their government. There are Israelis who fight against the occupation and the crimes in Gaza, and their numbers are growing.”

SVEAP and POEB demanded:

  • condemnation of the attack from the Book Publishers Association and other organisers;

  • a united response from all book trade bodies;

  • government action against Israelis who intimidate or attack Greek citizens.

______________________________________________

Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Don’t let Greek progressive voices fade.

Make sure to reference “TPP International” and your order number as the reason for payment.