A cruise liner carrying 1,600 Israeli tourists was forced to reroute to Cyprus after being denied entry to the Greek island of Syros due to a quayside protest over the Gaza war.
More than 300 demonstrators gathered at the port, holding Palestinian flags and a banner reading “Stop the Genocide,” while condemning Greece’s “economic, technological and military” ties with Israel.
“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,” a statement from the protesters said.
Passengers on the Crown Iris, operated by Mano Maritime, were unable to disembark, with some responding by raising Israeli flags and chanting patriotic slogans.
“The ship arrived at Syros, encountered a demonstration by pro-Palestinian supporters, and passengers were stuck on board without permission to disembark,” the company confirmed.
Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, raised the incident with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, according to the Greek Foreign Ministry.
The protest ended without injuries or arrests but underscored growing opposition in Greece to Israel’s actions in Gaza, amid widespread pro-Palestinian graffiti and signage across the country.
Source: The Guardian.
