The Gaza war’s shadow looms over Israeli summer vacations as the Center for Combating Online Antisemitism issued warnings on Wednesday about planned anti-Israel events in Greece, including “Days of Rage” and protests targeting the arrival of the Israeli cruise ship Crown Iris, operated by Mano Maritime, in Volos on the Pelion Peninsula.
Pro-Palestinian groups are organizing demonstrations on Thursday evening along the Volos promenade and another on August 13 morning, coinciding with the ship’s arrival, with the risk level for Israelis deemed “high.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters blocking Israeli cruise ship from mooring
(Video: Zoom 77 LE)
Organizers oppose what they call “tourism, economic and military ties between Greece and Israel,” claiming the ship’s passengers support “the massacre of Palestinians” and are unwelcome.
The protests have sparked intense online chatter in pro-Palestinian Telegram groups, amplifying the campaign’s reach. The Diaspora Affairs Ministry also warned of a global “Day of Action for Gaza” on August 10, with over 25 anti-Israel protests planned across Greece, particularly in tourist-heavy islands like Rhodes, Kos, Crete, Samothraki, Andros, Lesbos, Tilos, Amorgos and Sifnos, as well as mainland sites like Olympia, Kiato, Edessa and Preveza.
These events, led by pro-Palestinian groups under the slogan “Not in Our Land – Not in Our Name,” aim to portray Israel as committing genocide and disrupt its image as a safe tourism destination. A dedicated Telegram channel with 2,900 members coordinates these actions, encouraging local events and social media campaigns.
Greek police are deploying significant forces to prevent harm to Israeli tourists, emphasizing that violent protests will not be tolerated. A source familiar with the situation estimated that “Days of Rage” may draw only a few hundred to a few thousand participants, mostly communist and anarchist activists, with protests on islands likely limited to 100-150 people.
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A previous demonstration in Athens’ Syntagma Square attracted just 30 people. “It’s unpleasant, but not as bad as it seems. Israelis are welcome in Greece and incidents are minimal,” the source said, urging Israelis to avoid provocations. One Israeli tourist on a cruise ship was briefly detained after overturning a stall in response to anti-Israel graffiti but was later released.
Tensions flared this week between Israel’s ambassador to Greece, Noam Katz, and Athens Mayor Haris Doukas. Katz accused Doukas of failing to curb antisemitic graffiti, saying, “The mayor of Athens did not do enough to protect his city and its minorities.”
Doukas retorted on X, “We have consistently demonstrated our active opposition to violence and racism. We will not accept lectures on democracy from those who kill civilians and children waiting in line for food aid, from those responsible for the daily deaths of dozens of people in Gaza due to bombings, hunger and thirst.”
Israel’s National Security Council, in coordination with security agencies, continues to monitor global threats, while the Foreign Ministry handles protest-related responses, advising further inquiries about August 18 events be directed to them.