The Greek anti-terrorism police announced on Thursday the arrest of seven suspects, including three Iranian and two Afghan nationals, accused of setting fire to a synagogue and a hotel owned by Israelis in central Athens earlier this year.
According to the report, a 25-year-old Greek woman, two Iranian men aged 36 and 46, and their 44-year-old Afghan accomplice were arrested in connection with an attack on a building housing an Israeli-owned hotel and restaurant.
The attack, carried out on May 16, involved a homemade incendiary device.
The arrested individuals are accused of endangering lives through arson and causing damage to foreign citizens' property in a racially motivated attack.
In another incident, a 44-year-old Greek man and a 26-year-old Afghan man approached a synagogue in Athens on June 18, and set its entrance on fire using incendiary materials. A 30-year-old Iranian man was also involved in this operation. All these individuals have been arrested and charged with arson, theft, and possession of weapons.
The Greek police stated that of the seven suspects arrested in connection with the attacks on the synagogue and the Israeli-owned hotel, five remain in custody, while two have been conditionally released and are awaiting their trial.
On October 7, Hamas members attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a massive military operation in the Gaza Strip, which, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, has resulted in over 38,000 deaths and 87,000 injuries so far.
Following the Gaza conflict, European officials have been deeply concerned about terrorist threats. Previously, in April 2023, Greek police foiled a plot to attack an Israeli restaurant in Athens and arrested two individuals in connection with the plan. At that time, Mossad identified the Islamic Republic as being responsible for the plot and stated that the foiled operation in Greece was part of a larger network directed from inside Iran.
Earlier, on May 6, Tel Aviv University and the Anti-Defamation League reported a significant increase in antisemitic incidents worldwide.
In March of last year, The Wall Street Journal reported the emergence of new "terrorist" threats, the foiling of several "terrorist operations," and the arrest of several refugees and extremist agents in Europe, stating that these threats are linked to the Islamic Republic, its proxy groups, and the Gaza conflict.
