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Demonstrators gathered near the port, waving Palestinian flags and calling for a boycott of Israeli-linked tourism.
By Shula Rosen
An Israeli cruise ship carrying 1,600 passengers was forced to skip a scheduled stop at the Greek island of Syros on Tuesday after anti-Israel protesters blocked disembarkation.
The vessel, operated by Mano Maritime, remained docked as demonstrators gathered near the port, waving Palestinian flags and calling for a boycott of Israeli-linked tourism.
Witnesses reported a tense situation as approximately 200 protesters gathered near the entrance to the port, effectively blocking passengers from disembarking.
Those who initially attempted to leave the ship were redirected back onboard.
The demonstration appeared to be premeditated, coinciding with the ship’s first scheduled stop at the island.
Greek police intervened by deploying officers near the dock and barring protesters from entering the port area.
Although there was no direct confrontation, security concerns led to the decision to forgo the stop. The ship’s crew opted to sail on to Cyprus instead, avoiding potential escalation.
Another passenger noted that the ship’s security team had received advance warnings about similar demonstrations planned at other European destinations.
While the initial expectation was for only a brief delay, the overall atmosphere caused some travelers to hesitate about leaving the ship, even if disembarkation had been permitted.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar contacted his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, urging local authorities to ensure the safety of Israeli tourists.
Israel’s embassy in Greece also raised concerns, calling the incident a blow to Israeli-Greek tourism ties.
Mano Maritime issued a statement saying the protest was not violent, but it was disruptive.
They confirmed that Israeli security staff were present on board and emphasized that the decision to bypass Syros was precautionary.
While the protest eventually dispersed, the episode underscores rising tensions surrounding Israeli tourism in Europe amid broader geopolitical unrest.
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