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KISE ANNOUNCEMENT ON CANCELLATION OF EVENT ON JEWISH LITERATURE

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The Central Jewish Council of Greece condemns the forcible cancellation of the Embassy of Israel's event on the theme "Changing Landscapes of Jewish Literature" within the framework of the International Book Fair in Thessaloniki. Book fairs are spaces for dialogue and the free flow of ideas that aim to foster intellectual understanding of different cultural and literary backgrounds.

Demonstrations of hatred against Israelis and Jews - particularly in the city of Thessaloniki, where 80 years ago 50000 Jews were deported and murdered in Nazi death camps - undermine the very essence of democracy and serve as a reminder that before the Holocaust came Kristallnacht, when the Nazis burned books.

We are even more troubled by the fact that the orchestrators and supporters of these demonstrations celebrated the success of their goal: the cancellation of the event “Changing Landscapes of Jewish Literature.” Their actions are no different from those of the Nazis who exulted in the burning of books.

We are confident, however, that they represent only a marginal minority. The immediate and strong response from members of the literary and artistic communities has shown that Greek society will not allow antisemitism to spread its tentacles in our country.  

Athens, 12.5.2025

Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece

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