Protests Disrupt Israeli Cruise Ship’s Stop in Greece
A group of around 150 protesters disrupted the plans of an Israeli cruise ship, preventing its passengers from disembarking on a Greek island. The incident occurred when the Crown Iris, operated by the Israeli company Mano Cruise, arrived at Syros on Tuesday. The protesters, waving Palestinian flags and holding banners with messages like “stop the genocide,” blocked the ship from docking.
Initially, the passengers were scheduled to spend six hours on the island, but the protests continued for over three hours, forcing the ship to change course. Instead of making a stop in Syros, the vessel is now heading to Limassol in Cyprus, with all approximately 1,600 passengers still aboard.
The demonstrators called for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where they claim the situation has led to widespread suffering, including mass starvation and the deaths of dozens of Palestinians who were shot by Israeli troops while seeking aid. A statement from the protesters criticized Greece’s relationship with Israel, expressing concern that tourists from Israel are being welcomed while Palestinians face hardship.
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They stated: “As residents of Syros but more so as human beings, we are taking action that we hope will contribute to stopping this destruction from the genocidal war that is taking place in our neighbourhood. It is unacceptable that tourists from Israel continue to be welcomed here while the Palestinians are suffering in the Strip.”
It was reported that the Greek authorities did not block the passengers from leaving the ship. Instead, the decision was made by the ship’s Israeli crew, who feared that the protests could turn violent and put the passengers at risk. Onboard staff also advised passengers to remain indoors rather than using the deck.
Some passengers responded to the protests by waving Israeli flags, singing songs, or chanting slogans in support of their country. Mano Maritime released a statement explaining the situation: “The ship arrived at Syros, encountered a demonstration by pro-Palestinian supporters, and passengers were stuck on board without permission to disembark. The management of Mano Cruise has decided, in light of the situation in the city of Syros, to now sail to another tourist destination. All passengers and crew members are resting and spending time on the ship on their way to the new destination.”
In response to the incident, Israel’s foreign minister reportedly contacted his Greek counterpart, according to the Greek foreign ministry. However, no details about the conversation have been disclosed.
Greece remains a popular destination for Israeli tourists. In 2024, approximately 621,000 Israelis visited the country, highlighting the strong cultural and tourism ties between the two nations.
Adonis Georgiadis, the Greek health minister, described the protests as “offensive” and expressed his disappointment. He stated: “I consider what happened to be unthinkable. Some people — no matter what their origin, unless the Israelis have lost their human status — have paid for their ticket on their ship and have chosen to vacation in Greece. I want to apologize to these people. I want to send a message of great alliance and friendship to Israel, to say that Israelis are welcome in Greece and that anti-Semitism cannot exist in Greece.”
The incident has sparked discussions about the balance between free speech, political activism, and the rights of tourists. As the Crown Iris continues its journey to Cyprus, the situation remains a topic of interest among travelers and observers alike.
