Israeli tourists vacationing in the popular resort town of Malia on the Greek island of Crete say a frightening overnight incident unfolded when a group of armed men allegedly entered their hotel searching for Israeli and Jewish guests.

According to testimony from several young Israelis staying at the hotel, a small group initially entered the building before returning later with additional individuals. Witnesses claimed the group was made up of Muslims who appeared to be looking specifically for Israelis.

One mother recounted what her son told her after the ordeal.

“My son told me that a lot of Palestinians came into the hotel with rifles and axes. They went up to the floors where the Israelis were staying and started going room to room,” she said.

She said the young travelers feared for their lives during the incident.

“At that point, he sent me a goodbye message. He wrote that he was scared and that many Arabs had come because they knew there were a lot of Jews there,” she said.

Family members contacted Israel’s Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Embassy in Greece, which they say coordinated with local authorities. Greek police later arrived at the hotel, removed the individuals involved, and instructed the Israeli guests to remain in their rooms while the situation was brought under control.

Following the incident, one of the mothers said her son asked to return to Israel immediately, and the family began searching for an earlier flight home.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)