Education Ministry General Secretary Giorgos Kalantzis has been forced to clarify that Greek Jews pay taxes like all other Greek citizens, following a TV  interview by anti-austerity Greek Independent Greeks (ANEL) leader Panos Kammenos that claimed that Jews don’t pay taxes.

“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,” he said, adding that he felt compelled to make this public statement because that the accusations had become fodder for debate in internet forums.

Mr. Kalantzis said that the widespread rumors pertaining to Jews and tax exemptions were “conspiracy theories, lies and slander”.