Israeli ambassador's planned Corfu visit draws opposition

Israeli Ambassador to Greece Pnina Tamano-Shata's planned visit to Corfu has prompted opposition from local groups, who have linked their objections to Israel's policies and military operations in Gaza.

Israeli Ambassador to Greece Pnina Tamano-Shata is expected to visit the Greek island of Corfu in October, with local groups voicing opposition to the planned trip.

According to Greek local media reports cited by Anadolu Agency, the ambassador's official visit is expected to take place in mid-October, although details of her meetings and itinerary had not been publicly announced as of October 2.

The planned visit has prompted criticism from groups on the island over Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza.

LOCAL GROUPS CALL FOR OPPOSITION TO VISIT
In statements opposing the visit, several groups criticized Israel's military operations in Gaza and called on local political and civic representatives to publicly reject the ambassador's planned appearance on Corfu.

The groups argued that Tamano-Shata represents the Israeli government and urged representatives of the local authorities, members of parliament, trade unions and civil society organizations to take a position against the visit.

Some of the groups also claimed that the visit was being arranged at the initiative of parts of Corfu's tourism sector and argued that the wider island community did not support the initiative.

Those claims reflect the position of the groups opposing the visit and were not independently substantiated in the source report.

NEW ISRAELI AMBASSADOR BEGAN POST IN ATHENS IN AUGUST
Tamano-Shata began serving as Israel's new ambassador to Greece in Athens in August.

Her planned trip to Corfu comes amid continuing political and public debate in Greece over Israel's military campaign in Gaza and Athens' relations with Israel.

The Israeli embassy in Athens had not publicly announced a detailed programme for the reported Corfu visit at the time of the report.

Source: Anadolu Agency (AA), citing Greek local media.