Latest news with #IsraeliTourists
CTV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Riot police scuffle with demonstrators on Greek island during visit by Israeli cruise ship
Two men hold up an Israeli flag during the departure of a cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists on the southeastern Aegean Sea island of Rhodes, Greece, Monday, July 28, 2025. (InTime News via AP) ATHENS, Greece — Scuffles broke out between riot police and demonstrators on the Greek island of Rhodes Monday during a protest against the war in Gaza while an Israeli cruise ship was docked at the island, local media reported. Television footage showed a small number of protesters chanting 'Freedom for Palestine' near the port, with riot police pushing them back and minor scuffles breaking out. The cruise ship passengers disembarked in Rhodes without incident, Greek media said. Anti-war activists had called for demonstrations on the island during a scheduled stop by the Israeli cruise ship, the Crown Iris, which was reportedly carrying more than 600 tourists. But representatives of local businesses on the island had opposed the protest. Last week, the Crown Iris left another Greek island, Syros, early without its passengers disembarking after more than 150 protesters demonstrated at that island's port. The demonstrators unfurled Palestinian flags and called for an end to the war in Gaza. There were no reports of any violence in Syros. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar contacted his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, over the Syros incident. The Associated Press
The Independent
24-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Video: Gaza protesters block Israeli tourists from entering Greek island
A cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists departed the Greek island of Syros on Tuesday without its passengers disembarking after a protest by more than 150 people at the port. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and called for an end to the conflict in Gaza. They displayed banners reading "Stop the Genocide" and "No a/c in hell." The vessel, identified as the Crown Iris operated by Israeli company Mano Cruise, had about 1,700 passengers on board. 'The management of Mano Cruise has decided in light of the situation in the city of Syros to now sail to another tourist destination,' the company said in a press release. 'All passengers and crew members are resting and spending time on the ship on their way to the new destination.'
Irish Times
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Israeli cruise ship turned away from Greek island by Gaza war protest
A cruise liner carrying Israeli tourists has been forced to reroute to Cyprus after being turned away from the Greek island of Syros after a quayside protest over the Gaza war. Around 1,600 Israeli passengers on board the Crown Iris were prevented from disembarking amid safety concerns. More than 300 demonstrators on the Cycladic isle made clear they were unwelcome over Israel's conduct of the war and treatment of Palestinians in Gaza. A large banner emblazoned with the words 'Stop the Genocide' was held aloft alongside Palestinian flags. A statement from the protesters also took issue with Greece's increasingly close 'economic, technological and military' relationship 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,' it said. Some passengers on the vessel reacted by raising Israeli flags and chanting patriotic slogans, eyewitnesses said. Confirming the incident, Mano Maritime, the Israeli shipping firm operating the vessel, said: 'The ship arrived at Syros, encountered a demonstration by pro-Palestinian supporters, and passengers were stuck on board without permission to disembark.' Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, contacted his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, over the incident, the Greek foreign ministry confirmed. It did not release any details of their discussion. During the delay at the port, passengers told Israel's Channel 12 news that they had been told by onboard security to remain indoors, rather than to go out onto the deck. One Israeli passenger told Israel's Kan public broadcaster, however, that when one of the passengers saw the protest, 'we raised Israeli flags and some of us started singing'. 'We felt safe inside the ship, but the children are a little stressed,' the passenger said. In recent years, Greece has become popular among Israeli tourists, reflecting the increasingly close ties between the two Mediterranean nations. An estimated 621,000 visited the Hellenic Republic in 2024 alone. Although the protest concluded without injuries nor arrests, the episode highlighted mounting disquiet in Greece over Israel's actions in Gaza. Anti-Israeli graffiti have proliferated across the country, as has signage in support of Palestinians. Israel's national security council's current guidelines for travel to Greece put the country's threat level at two, of a possible four, meaning Israelis and Jews are advised to take 'increased precautionary measures' there. - The Guardian and agencies
The Guardian
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Cheering Gaza protesters force Israeli cruise liner to turn away from Syros
A cruise liner carrying Israeli tourists has been forced to reroute to Cyprus after being turned away from the Greek island of Syros due to safety concerns. More than 300 people were at the island's port to protest against the war in Gaza when the liner arrived, preventing about 1,600 Israeli passengers on board the Crown Iris from disembarking. Some passengers aboard the vessel reacted by raising Israeli flags and chanting patriotic slogans, witnesses said
The Standard
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Standard
Protest against Gaza war prevents Israeli visitors from touring Greek island
A protester waves a Palestinian flag as people demonstrates in front of a cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists and trying to approach the Aegean Sea island of Syros, Greece, Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (Nikos Panagiotopoulos/InTime News via AP)
