Greek ministry denies Jewish community receives tax breaks
A Greek government official on Monday dismissed as “conspiracy theories, lies and slander” that members of the Jewish community in Greece pay less tax than other citizens.
The Education Ministry’s general secretary for religion Giorgos Kalantzis said he was reacting to claims made as part of “the public debate and, mainly, on the dark side of the Internet.”
“Greek citizens of Jewish faith pay their tax normally like all Greeks and do not enjoy any exemption or extra burden because of their religion,” said Kalantzis.
In December, Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos (photo) was blasted for claiming in a TV interview that Jews receive preferential treatment.
The Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece described his comment as a “serious anti-Semitic act.”