A public dispute has erupted between Greece's tourism minister and the mayor of Athens over the removal of anti-Israel graffiti that has appeared on the capital's streets.
In a letter to Mayor Haris Doukas, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni called for "immediate action," warning that the "hateful and threatening graffiti" harms Athens' reputation as a safe and welcoming city for visitors.
Mr. Doukas hit back, accusing the ministry of a "delayed reaction" and of acting only after similar concerns were voiced by the Israeli ambassador.
In a social media post, the mayor framed the minister's letter as a politically motivated attack from the national government against his municipality.
The pointed exchange comes amid heightened public tensions in Greece related to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, reflecting a sensitive intersection of local governance and international diplomacy.