Israeli holidaymakers face rising anger in Greece over Gaza war PHOTO

Tensions are rising across Greece as Israeli tourists face mounting hostility from protesters opposed to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, prompting the Greek government to announce tougher measures against demonstrators.

On July 29, clashes erupted at the port of Agios Nikolaos on the island of Crete, where demonstrators attempted to block approximately 1,500 Israeli tourists from disembarking from the cruise ship Crown Iris. Protesters unfurled a large Palestinian flag and chanted “Free, free Palestine” as tourists exited the ship to join sightseeing tours. Riot police responded with pepper spray and detained four people after scuffles broke out, Caliber.Az reports, referencing foreign media.

This marked the third such incident in just a week. On July 28, a similar protest greeted another cruise ship carrying 600 Israeli passengers upon its arrival in Rhodes, resulting in the detention of 13 demonstrators. Last Tuesday, when Crown Iris docked on the island of Syros, passengers chose not to disembark due to protests at the port. Some Israelis on board responded by waving national flags and chanting back at the demonstrators before the ship left for Cyprus.

Greek officials have expressed concern that these demonstrations have crossed a line from legitimate anti-war protests into targeting Israeli nationals more broadly, raising potential issues of racism. Authorities have indicated that Greece will now enforce stricter legal measures against such acts.

Greek Minister for Public Order Michalis Chrisochoidis said last week that individuals attempting to prevent legal entry by foreign nationals will face legal consequences under anti-racism legislation. “Anyone who attempts to prevent a third-country national from entering the country legally will be prosecuted, arrested and subsequently subject to criminal proceedings under anti-racism legislation,” Chrisochoidis said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar raised the matter with his Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis, prompting assurances from Athens that it would adopt a firmer stance against such incidents.

The Israeli ambassador to Greece took to X (formerly Twitter) to emphasise the importance of Israeli tourism to the Greek economy, writing: “Israeli visitors consistently choose Greece as a top holiday destination — for its beauty, culture and warm hospitality. They travel often, spend generously, and strengthen local tourism and the bond between us. A true win-win partnership.”

Greece has become increasingly popular among Israeli travellers in recent years, reflecting a broader strengthening of ties between the two countries. Despite this, the recent surge in protests has raised concerns among Israeli officials and tourists alike.

Until recently, Greece had seen relatively fewer pro-Palestinian demonstrations compared to other European nations since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in October 2023. However, protest activity has intensified in recent days.

On July 16, dockworkers and activists in the port of Piraeus attempted to halt the unloading of steel reportedly destined for military use in Israel. The dockworkers’ union declared that they would not allow the port to be used for military logistics.

Public sentiment in Greece remains divided on the conflict. A June survey conducted by QED showed that 55 per cent of Greeks believe their country should remain neutral in the Gaza conflict, while 34 per cent believe Greece should oppose Israel. Only 11 per cent expressed support for Israel.

By Tamilla Hasanova