Anti-war protesters against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza demonstrated Thursday at the Port of Heraklion in Crete, targeting a cruise ship operated by Israeli company Mano Maritime.
The protest briefly delayed Israeli tourists on board from disembarking, but Greek police dispersed the demonstrators and passengers were later allowed to go ashore. Mano Maritime said no assaults were reported, though one Israeli couple said pro-Palestinian activists “waited for us at the exit with sticks.”
Greek media outlets reported that the protesters shouted pro-Palestinian slogans. In response, some of the Israeli tourists who left the ship shouted back. Demonstrators were seen waving Palestinian flags, holding protest signs and igniting flares.
Demonstration against Israelis outside the Port of Heraklion in Crete
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The Greek news site Rosa reported that police used “chemicals” to disperse the protesters. Another outlet, Neakriti, quoted organizers as saying their goal was “to send a message condemning genocide” and to express solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Local authorities instructed Israeli tourists to leave through a specific gate at the port. Tourist buses took passengers to the Knossos archaeological site, while others walked into central Heraklion.
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Protesters are ready for the arrival of the Mano Maritime cruise ship
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A demonstration against Israelis outside the Port of Heraklion in Crete
(Photo: Use under Section 27A of the Copyright Law)
The incident follows similar protests in recent weeks. Late last month, clashes broke out in Rhodes after pro-Palestinian activists tried to prevent a Mano Maritime ship from docking, according to the Daily Mail. Police with helmets and shields pushed back the crowd, and the ship, carrying about 650 Israeli passengers, eventually docked. Protesters chanted “Free Palestine,” and some were arrested.
A week earlier, a Mano Maritime vessel with 1,600 vacationers docked on the island of Syros, but passengers were barred from disembarking due to a large pro-Palestinian protest. Some Israelis responded with a counter-demonstration, waving Israeli flags and singing religious songs, including “Ma’aminim Bnei Ma’aminim.” After several hours, they were told the ship would depart and instead dock in Limassol, Cyprus.