Although Rhodes experienced devastating fires, the island is a safe destination, according to Greece's tourism minister in her meeting with Israeli ambassador Noam Katz.
"Rhodes experienced a difficult crisis which was immediately tackled by the government and the ministry, which had the protection of the island's residents and visitors as a first priority. Rhodes satisfies the criteria of a safe destination, faithful to the principles of Greek hospitality and culture," said Olga Kefalogianni.
She informed him about the state of emergency declared on Rhodes so that he might, in turn, brief the Israeli government about the state of affairs on the island.
Kefalogianni stated to AMNA that the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued a travel directive advising Israeli citizens on Wednesday at 22:00 to not visit Rhodes due to the state of emergency there.
However, the tourism minister's response was immediate and she outlined to the ambassador of Israel the reasons why a state of emergency was declared on the Dodecanese island, citing the following:
"The state of emergency on the island was declared so that the assistance of the entire state machinery might be enlisted while avoiding time-consuming bureaucratic procedures that are followed under normal circumstances. Greece guarantees safety and control in the situations it is called upon to handle," the minister said to Katz.
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