Photo: israel-clinics
On July 17, three Greek residents attacked 24-year-old Fahad Kopti, a former soldier from Nazareth, mistaking him for an Israeli Jew. Fahad, an Arab-Christian, was traveling in Greece with relatives. As a result of the attack, he sustained head and jaw injuries.
Circumstances of the Incident
Fahad’s mother, Jacqueline, explained that the attackers fled only after he showed them his cross necklace. “Nothing helped until a Tunisian citizen assisted my son in proving that he was Arab. After that, the hooligans apologized and left the scene. This could have ended in murder,” she said.
Details of the Attack
Fahad was traveling in Greece with friends and relatives. On the night of July 16, they attended a party that lasted until morning. After the party, participants began to disperse individually. Fahad rented an ATV, and some Jewish tourists asked him for a ride, to which he agreed. Along the way, they sang songs in Hebrew.
When Fahad returned to the spot where he picked up the tourists, three Greek residents blocked his path. They asked him where he was from. He replied that he was from Israel. At that moment, they attacked him and started beating him. Fahad tried to defend himself, but when he couldn’t endure the blows any longer, he began shouting that he was an Arab-Christian. Nothing helped until a Tunisian citizen intervened and helped prove to the attackers that Fahad was Arab. He tore Fahad’s shirt and showed them his cross necklace. The attackers then apologized and left the scene.
Aftermath of the Attack
Fahad’s mother shared that he had injuries all over his body and broken bones. After returning to Israel, he went to Poria Hospital in Tiberias and underwent several surgeries. “After the attack, we called for an ambulance. The police arrived at the scene, and we couldn’t contact Fahad until noon. We made efforts to bring him back to Israel on the evening of July 17, and immediately upon arrival, we took him to the hospital. He underwent surgeries and is currently struggling to speak,” she said.
Mother’s Reaction
The mother also revealed that after the incident, she learned that the attackers had a conflict with the Jews whom Fahad gave a ride to, and they thought Fahad was one of them. “This is a horrific incident,” she said. “Thank God my son returned home alive. It saddens me that the security situation provokes threats to Israeli tourists traveling abroad. I want the whole world to know what happened to my son; this could have ended in murder. I want officials to put pressure on the attackers to be detained and punished before they harm other tourists. We will not let this matter go and will fight to the end.”
Source: vesty
