Controversy arising from a demonstration against an Israeli tour vessel in Greece
In recent weeks, multiple Greek islands have witnessed organized pro-Palestinian demonstrations targeting Israeli cruise ship passengers, reflecting wider tensions and political expressions surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The most notable incidents occurred on Rhodes, Syros, Crete, and other islands. On Rhodes, a group of Israeli teenagers was attacked by dozens of pro-Palestinian assailants, some carrying knives. On Syros, protesters prevented about 1,600 Israeli tourists from disembarking a cruise ship, alleging genocide by Israel. In Crete, pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested the arrival of an Israeli cruise ship, leading to scuffles with police.
These events form part of a broader pattern of rising anti-Israeli and antisemitic incidents in Greece, including defacement of Holocaust memorials and desecration of Jewish cemeteries in various Greek cities. Experts warn that these are not isolated events but part of an increasingly coordinated wave of protests and attacks targeting Israelis and Jews in Greece since the escalation of fighting in Gaza starting October 7, 2024.
The relationship between Greece and Israel is close, especially in terms of economic, energy, and military cooperation. However, left-wing opposition politicians in Greece have called for an end to military cooperation with Israel. Greece, along with 28 other countries, including many European nations, signed a resolution calling on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza and fulfill its humanitarian obligations to the civilian population.
Opinion polls in Greece suggest that just under half of the population is neutral about the conflict in Gaza, while the other half supports either Israel or the Palestinians. Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis has been trying to maintain a more balanced stance, remaining in contact with Palestinian leadership and supporting a two-state solution.
Despite the ongoing protests, Israel remains an attractive vacation destination for Greeks, and Greek food and music are popular in Israel. Many Greek artists regularly perform in Israel. However, support for Israel has declined in Greece after almost two years of fighting in Gaza. Last Tuesday, around 300 demonstrators protested at the port of Syros, carrying Palestinian flags and a banner that read "Stop the genocide." Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis denounced antisemitism, stating that it has no place in Greece.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has a strong alliance with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, supporting Israel without reservation. This alliance dates back to close cooperation between Israel and Greece, which began long before Mitsotakis became prime minister and has continued since, especially around 2008.
Despite the recent protests, it appears that the history of political protest against Israeli tourists in Greece amid the Gaza conflict is a significant and ongoing issue, reflecting wider tensions and political expressions surrounding the ongoing war.
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza has sparked political expressions across Europe, as seen in multiple Greek islands where pro-Palestinian demonstrations targeting Israeli passengers have occurred.
- The international community, including 28 countries, have called on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza and fulfill its humanitarian obligations to the civilian population.
- The relationship between Greece and Israel, traditionally strong in terms of economic, energy, and military cooperation, is now facing scrutiny as left-wing opposition politicians call for an end to military cooperation with Israel.
- Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis is attempting to maintain a balanced stance, remaining in contact with Palestinian leadership and supporting a two-state solution amidst the rising anti-Israeli and antisemitic incidents in Greece.
- Despite growing tensions, Israel remains popular as a vacation destination for Greeks, and Greek culture continues to be appreciated in Israel, yet support for Israel has declined in Greece after almost two years of fighting in Gaza.
