Greece

Greece

Jews have lived in Greece for over 2000 years.

After the expulsion from Spain and Portugal many Jews immigrated there and integrated into local society especially during the Ottoman occupation.

In 1829 Greece won back its independence from the Ottomans, attitudes changed and there was some hostility to the 75000 Jewish minority.

In 1941 Greece was invaded by German and her allies.

In 1943 Germany invaded all of Greece and the Nazis began the murder of the majority of the Jews.

Some went into hiding or joined the resistance.

A pro Nazi Government assisted in the round up.

However, Archbishop Damaskinos Papandreou was Archbishop of Athens from 1941 and with the Athens police chief Angelos Evert, saved thousands of Jews.