By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
ATHENS/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters blocked Israeli tourists from disembarking in Greece on Tuesday, forcing an Israeli-owned cruise ship carrying 1,600 passengers to reroute to Cyprus.
The Crown Iris, operated by Israel’s Mano Maritime, was prevented from docking in the port of Ermoupoli on the Greek island of Syros as an estimated 300 demonstrators gathered in and around the port to protest Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, witnesses said.
Initially, Mano Shipping described the disruption as a “slight delay,” expecting the protest to disperse “within half an hour.” However, as the hours passed and tensions escalated, the company abandoned the stop and reroute to Limassol, Cyprus.
“It took the police two hours to arrive,” passenger Dror Marshalkowitz told Israel’s Channel 12. “Whoever made the decision to reroute apparently did the right thing — there were 300 to 400 children on board.”
Onboard security told passengers to remain inside the ship during the standoff, avoiding exposure on the deck. One Israeli traveler told Kan public broadcaster that some passengers responded to the protest by waving Israeli flags and singing. “We felt safe inside the ship, but the children were a little stressed,” the passenger added.
Demonstrators held banners reading “Stop the Genocide” and waved Palestinian flags, accusing Israel of committing atrocities in Gaza. No court has found Israel guilty of genocide.
DEEPENING TIES
In a statement, the protesters also condemned Greece’s deepening ties with Israel, citing growing economic, technological, and military cooperation. “As residents of Syros, but more so as human beings, we are taking action that we hope will contribute to stopping the destruction from the genocidal war taking place in our neighborhood,” they said.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar contacted his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, following the incident, the Greek Foreign Ministry confirmed, though it declined to release details of their conversation.
Israel’s Mano Maritime confirmed that its vessel was denied entry due to the protest. “The ship arrived at Syros, encountered a demonstration by pro-Palestinian supporters, and passengers were stuck on board without permission to disembark,” the company said in a statement.
The incident comes amid rising concerns about antisemitism across Europe, with Jewish communities reporting increased hostility linked to the war in Gaza. In Greece, anti-Israel graffiti and protests have become more frequent.
Greece has become a favored destination for Israeli tourists in recent years, reflecting the two Mediterranean nations’ warming diplomatic and economic relations.
While no injuries or arrests were reported during the Syros protest, the episode left several shaken amid broader concerns over antisemitism in Europe.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Christian leaders have condemned the recent destruction of a Pentecostal Church building in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, calling it part of an increase in persecution against Christians in Sudan.
The White House on Wednesday expressed “grief and sorrow” for the families of four slain University of Idaho students after Bryan Kohberger, 30, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for their brutal murders in 2022.
In a decisive political statement, the Israeli Knesset voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favor of a non-binding resolution declaring support for the application of full Israeli sovereignty over Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley — territories comprising what is internationally referred to as the West Bank. The symbolic resolution passed 71-13, reflecting wide backing among the governing coalition and some members of the opposition.
New York State has agreed to settle a years-long legal battle with Emilee Carpenter, a Christian wedding photographer, by paying $225,000 in legal fees and pledging not to enforce laws that would compel her to photograph same-sex weddings against her religious convictions. The settlement, finalized Tuesday, ends four years of litigation and marks a major victory for free speech and religious liberty.
In a powerful act of solidarity and defiance against rising antisemitism, several hundred people, including around 750 Christians, formed a human chain around Munich’s main synagogue on Friday evening as a large and aggressive pro-Palestinian protest marched past, chanting anti-Israel slogans and glorifying Hamas terrorism.
The United Kingdom and Turkey have signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets, marking a pivotal development in Ankara’s ongoing effort to modernize its air force and deepen strategic ties with NATO allies. The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed Wednesday during the International Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul, was inked by Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and UK Defense Secretary John Healey.
A newly declassified House Intelligence Committee report has ignited a political firestorm by revealing that the Obama administration’s 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) claiming Russian President Vladimir Putin supported Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential bid was based on unreliable intelligence and violated established analytical standards.