Israeli Singer Elior Zendani Assaulted in Athens Over Hebrew Speech

Israeli singer and songwriter Elior Zendani, a contestant from the 9th season of 'The Next Star', announced on Monday that he was violently assaulted last weekend near the Olympic Stadium in Athens after attackers recognized he was speaking Hebrew. Zendani sustained facial injuries and a broken nose during the incident.

Zendani had traveled to Greece over the weekend to perform at local taverns and celebrate his 25th birthday, according to his social media posts. Following a party on Saturday night, he stepped outside for a phone call when a group of three individuals overheard him speaking Hebrew. The verbal altercation quickly escalated into a physical confrontation.

The singer reported suffering severe blows to his face, resulting in heavy swelling and nasal fractures. Despite the ambush, Zendani managed to escape after realizing he was on his own. 'The moment I realized I was truly alone, I picked up my feet and ran out of there. I am not ashamed to say I was stressed,' he wrote, calling the ordeal one of the most harrowing experiences of his life abroad.

Authorities and local media report a rising number of targeted incidents against tourists and foreign nationals in various European urban centers amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.