An Israeli tourist was attacked in Greece by a group of pro-Palestinian activists after they overheard him using Google Maps in Hebrew while navigating Athens.
The attackers heard the app's voice command saying "turn right" and, upon realizing he was using Hebrew, launched an assault on the Israeli.
"I went to a gym in Athens, and on the way, my phone was speaking Hebrew. I was using Google Maps. People passed by, and one of them asked me if I was from Israel. I told him yes, and at that moment, he began cursing at me and went into a frenzy," says Meidad Hozeh, 35, speaking to Maariv.
Hozeh described the terrifying moments: "I kept walking, and a group of people began cursing at me and hitting me. I started taking pictures, and I ran into the middle of the road, hoping to escape through the cars, but they kept chasing me even on the busy street."
"As more people joined the attack, I realized I was being targeted. I began running and kicking anyone who came near me. One of the attackers filed a complaint against me. They kicked me while I was running. I fell and somehow managed to get into a nearby restaurant's bathroom and shut the door," Hozeh shared.
He added, "Some of the attackers were Greek, while others were not. They tried to break down the door, and one of them even suggested bringing an axe. I called the guy from where I was staying, told him I was being attacked, and he called the police. They arrived about 20 minutes later."
Handcuffed by police
When the police arrived, Hozeh's nightmare wasn't over: "When the police got there, the restaurant was surrounded by Palestinian protesters, and a chaotic scene unfolded. A large police presence arrived to secure me and take me out of the place. They took me out in handcuffs, claiming I was the one who attacked."
Hozeh said, "Thanks to the video footage, they realized that I was the victim and that it was a hate crime. After watching the video, the police removed the handcuffs and apologized. I sought treatment at a hospital, and I need further medical care. Today, I have to go to the police to identify the suspects. No one from the Greek community helped me. Not a single person in that restaurant came to my aid."