With much emotion, solemnity and infinite memories, the reopening of the renovated synagogue of the Kal Kadosh Yavanim of Trikala was inaugurated on Sunday 16 October 2022, in the presence of the Ministers of Interior, Makis Voridis and Energy, Kostas Skrekas, the Deputy Minister of Citizen Protection, Lefteris Economou, members of parliament and numerous Jewish visitors from Greece and Israel. It was a project that restored the problems that existed in the building of the historic synagogue, bringing it back to life.

The restoration of the synagogue was made possible thanks to the support of donors from Greece and abroad. The importance of their contribution was stressed during the inauguration event. The Mayor of Trikala, Dimitris Papastergiou described the inauguration as "a wonderful day and a day of celebration for Trikala", noting that the city has an "open mind and heart; it was and remains multicultural".

For his part, the President of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece (KIS), Mr. David Saltiel emphasized that the ceremony "sends out multiple messages", as it "inaugurates the renovated and safe building and a new era in the continuation of Jewish life in Trikala", "highlights the long history and culture of the Community", "confirms the brotherhood that this place has cultivated" and "marks solidarity".

We were informed that the Greek Cabinet, during its meeting of August 30, 2022, sanctioned the proposal of the Justice Minister and appointed Supreme Court Judge Marianthi Pagouteli at the position of the Vice President of Greece’s Supreme Court (Areios Pagos).

During the first instance trial of Konstantinos Plevris* for his antisemitic book “Jews, the whole truth”, Mrs Pagouteli, Judge of Appeals at the time, gave a minority vote advocating for the acquittal of K. Plevris. Mrs Pagouteli in her 32page consideration behind the minority vote justified the antisemitic views of K. Plevris.

The Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece expresses the strong resentment of the Greek Jewry for the appointment at the high level of the Greek Justice, of a person who cannot defend the declared position of the Greek State against antisemitism, even more so in the capacity of the Vice President of the Supreme Court of our country.

We express the certainty that the Greek Justice will safeguard the values of Democracy against the followers of intolerance and antisemitism.

Athens, September 2, 2022

Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece

*Konstantinos Plevris, is a Holocaust denier and writer of several books against the Jews.