Increased Security Measures in Greek Ports Amid Protests Against Israeli Cruise Passengers

Greek authorities have stepped up security at the ports of Patras and Katakolo in response to protests targeting the MS Crown Iris, a cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists during its Mediterranean voyage. This measure follows demonstrations in Kalamata where local activists protested Israel’s actions in Gaza, despite a ceasefire that began on October 10th.

This incident isn’t isolated; a similar situation occurred in July when passengers were unable to disembark in Syros due to protests that required the ship to reroute to Cyprus.

Reports from Kalamata indicate a tense environment as protesters gathered near the harbor, with passengers escorted by armed officers to their awaiting buses. Demonstrators expressed their opposition to the Israeli government’s policies, focusing their grievances on governmental actions rather than the tourists themselves.

The protests underscore escalating divisions in Greece over ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts. Activist Yannis Sifanakis described these rallies as expressions of local anger, rooted in Greece’s cultural and geographical ties to the region. Political analysts, such as Constantine Filis from the ACG Institute of Global Affairs in Athens, noted that Greece’s geographic proximity and historical relationships with Arab countries heighten public sensitivity towards the Gaza situation.

Filis emphasized the delicate balance the Greek government must maintain, as public sentiment tends to criticize Israeli actions. However, Greece continues to prioritize its strategic alliance with Israel, particularly concerning regional security and its relationship with the United States. This partnership has strengthened since 2010 and contrasts with Greece’s previous pro-Palestinian stance.

The tourism sector is beginning to express concern over the ramifications of these protests, especially as Greece hosted over 600,000 Israeli tourists in 2024, with numbers expected to rise this year. Some tourism officials have condemned the protests as harmful to Greece’s international image.

In light of rising tensions, Israel’s foreign ministry has advised its citizens to exercise caution while in Greece. Ambassador Noam Katz expressed concern regarding antisemitic graffiti seen in Athens and criticized local authorities for their slow responses in removing it. Jewish community leaders in Greece have warned that political discourse surrounding the conflict could slip into antisemitism.

In Crete, the protests have expanded beyond cruise ship arrivals, with thousands rallying against the NATO-operated Souda Bay naval base, accused of supporting U.S. military operations in the region. Activists have called for a halt to all military cooperation with Israel.

The ongoing situation surrounding the Crown Iris signifies a complex interplay of public sentiment, regional politics, and the impact on maritime tourism in Greece amid heightened tensions linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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