Israeli Cruise Liner Rerouted Due to Protests in Greece Over Gaza Conflict

A cruise ship named the Crown Iris, carrying around 1,600 Israeli travelers, was compelled to alter its course and head to Cyprus after being prevented from docking at the Greek island of Syros. This redirection followed a significant protest at the quayside, where over 300 demonstrators voiced their discontent regarding Israel's military conduct in Gaza and the treatment of Palestinians, displaying a banner that read "Stop the Genocide" alongside Palestinian flags.

The protesters released a statement criticizing Greece’s growing ties with Israel in terms of economic, technological, and military collaboration. They expressed that, as residents of Syros and concerned individuals, they aimed to take action to contribute towards stopping the ongoing destruction caused by what they termed a genocidal war in their region. In response, some passengers aboard the cruise raised Israeli flags and shouted patriotic slogans as a counter to the demonstration, according to eyewitness accounts.

Mano Maritime, the Israeli company responsible for the cruise, confirmed the incident, indicating that the vessel arrived at Syros only to encounter a demonstration that prevented passengers from disembarking. In the wake of the incident, Israel’s foreign minister reached out to his Greek counterpart to discuss the situation, although specific details of their conversation were not disclosed. This event underscores a growing unrest in Greece regarding Israel’s military activities in Gaza, as anti-Israeli graffiti and supportive signage for Palestinians have become more common throughout the country.