Anti-terrorism police in Greece have arrested seven people after arson attacks on a synagogue and an Israeli-owned hotel earlier this year.

Four of the suspects – a Greek woman, two Iranians, and an Afghan accomplice – are accused of arson which could endager life, and damage to property in a racially motivated attack.

They will face trial for targeting an Israeli owned hotel and restaurant with a homemade bomb in May.

Another three were arrested in connection with an attack on an Athens synagogue in June. The suspects – one Greek, one Afghan and one Iranian – allegedly threw flammable material at the entrance to the synagogue, causing a fire.

This is not the first time Jewish businesses and places of worship have been targeted in Greece. In March 2023, Greek police uncovered a plan to bomb an Israeli restaurant and the same synagogue in Athens. Israeli intelligence service Mossad accused Iran of orchestrating the planned attacks.

Antisemitism has long been considered widespread in Greece, which is often cited as the worst place in Europe to be Jewish.