Greece Revokes Asylum from Palestinian Who Celebrated Hamas Massacres in Israel Alongside Terrorists

Greek authorities have immediately revoked the asylum status of a Palestinian national from Gaza, citing him as a danger to national security. The man was identified in multiple videos celebrating alongside Hamas terrorists during the massacres at Israeli kibbutzim on October 7, 2023.

The decision followed an initiative by Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris, in close collaboration with the European Jewish Association (EJA), Belgian authorities, and the Israeli Embassy in Athens. Greek officials located incriminating photos, videos, and social media posts in which he endorsed the terrorist attack.

The individual is Mohanad Alkhatib, who was granted international protection status in Greece in March 2025. However, after traveling to Belgium and applying for asylum there, authorities identified extensive video evidence showing him near the scenes of the massacres that shocked the international community.

In other images, he is seen posing next to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (who was later eliminated in Tehran in 2024), just months before Haniyeh's death.

Minister Plevris's Intervention and Asylum Revocation
Belgian authorities rejected his asylum application, deeming him a threat to public order. The matter was promptly brought to Minister Plevris's attention through the EJA and Israeli Ambassador to Athens Noam Katz, who emphasized in a letter that "an individual involved in the events of October 7 cannot be considered eligible for refugee status."

This led to immediate action by Greek authorities. Plevris mobilized the relevant services in cooperation with Ruth Daskalopoulou-Isaac (Director of European Affairs at the EJA, of Greek descent from Thessaloniki), who served as a key channel for communication and evidence verification.

Ultimately, Greek authorities confirmed the incriminating material (presented by protothema.gr), leading to the revocation decision, which was published this morning. It is based on paragraph 4 of Article 13 of Law 4939/2022, which allows revocation of refugee status when a person is reasonably considered a danger to national security.

Video of Mohanad Alkhatib Celebrating During the Hamas Invasion
A video uploaded to the TikTok profile AHMAD (with Palestinian and Belgian flags, @ahmad.edeli) on October 7, 2025 — to commemorate and celebrate the massacre from two years earlier — shows him rejoicing. The profile was later deleted.

How He Obtained Asylum in Greece
Mohanad Alkhatib entered Greece via Kos on March 4, 2025, and passed standard security checks by the Hellenic Police (screening, SIS II, Interpol). No incriminating records existed in any system at that time, so he was granted international protection.

However, according to a briefing memo provided by the EJA to Greek authorities, Alkhatib continued posting material from Europe praising Hamas. He also praised Iran's 2025 strike on the U.S. Al Udeid base in Doha, writing "May God guide the Iranian attack on the American base."

He notably referred to Hassan Eslaieh — a Hamas-affiliated journalist — as a "friend and comrade since the start of the war." Eslaieh was documented filming in Israeli kibbutzim during the massacres, with Alkhatib visible in the background in some instances.

Alkhatib has frequently presented himself as a journalist and photographer, often posing in a press vest with a camera in Gaza. However, there is no evidence he has written for any media outlet.

Letters of Thanks
The European Jewish Association sent a letter expressing sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Minister Thanos Plevris, and Asylum Service Director Marios Kaleas for their swift and decisive stance against an individual threatening public order and the Jewish community.

The EJA praised the Greek government's zero-tolerance approach to hate speech and the glorification of terrorism, ensuring that protection mechanisms are not exploited by those promoting violence.

Legal Basis for the Revocation
The Asylum Service decision relied on the international protection legislation, specifically Articles 13 and 96 of Law 4939/2022. Revocation is possible when new evidence establishes a threat to national security or public interest.

In Alkhatib's case, the accumulated evidence was deemed sufficient, and the process was completed swiftly within days of the investigation's start.

Plevris: All Asylum Cases Under Review
Following protothema.gr revelations, Minister Thanos Plevris stated on social media: "Since July, I have issued a standing order to review all asylum cases based on newly collected evidence — especially where grounds for revocation exist, such as arrests or illegal behavior.

"The Asylum Service revoked the protection status of a Palestinian who is shown to have participated in celebrations during the Hamas massacre. From the evidence gathered, he poses a danger to public safety. Since July, there has been a standing order for periodic review of asylum cases using new evidence, particularly where revocation is justified (e.g., arrests, illegal conduct). Protection status is not permanent, and regular re-examination is essential. We will not tolerate any Hamas supporter or lawbreaker receiving protection."