Greece: A Summary
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.
Greece
Jews have lived in various Greek islands and the mainland since the fourth century BCE (Before the Common Era).
After the expulsion of Jews from Spain and Portugal around 1500, many went to live in Greece. They achieved a high level of integration into the local society.
With the occupation by the Ottoman (Turkish Empire) in 1500s, Jews seemed to have prospered as the Ottomans were tolerant to non Muslim minorities, provided they paid their taxes.
But when Greece became an independent republic after the War of Independence in 1829, there was a surge of nationalist feelings which was hostile to the jewish minority of maybe only 75000 Jews.
In 1941 Greece was invaded by italy, Germany and Bulgaria. The country was divided into Zones and racial policies different according to where you lived. Following the surrender of Italy to the Allies in 1943, Germany invaded all of Greece and began the policy of systematic extermination of all Jews. It is estimated that 82 to 92% were murdered.
Some Jews did manage to go into hiding whilst others joined the resistance movement that was located mostly in the many mountains and countryside. Nazi oppression was severe and there was collaboration by an anti-communist puppet government. That government assisted the Nazis in rounding up Jews in Athens and elsewhere.
Archbishop Damaskinos Papandreou was Archbishop of Athens in 1941. During the Holocaust, Archbishop Damaskinos and Athens police chief Angelos Evert saved thousands of Greek Jews