The Israeli cruise ship “Crown Iris,” which has repeatedly faced protests over the last year when it has docked at Greek ports, faced yet more public anger as it arrived in the city of Piraeus.
Demonstrators had gathered there following a call by unions, various groups and associations, and pro-Palestinian organisations to voice their opposition to the ship’s arrival.
The protesters chanted slogans in support of Palestine and against Israel, while police prevented them from getting close to the Crown Iris, a luxury cruise ship operated by Israeli firm Mano Maritime that can hold 2,000 passengers.
“They are common criminals and, yes, we don’t want them in our country. We don’t want them,” one protester said.
Another demonstrator added: “We continue to support the Palestinians’ struggle to have their own homeland, to live independently and freely, and to put an end to the genocide they are suffering.”
According to the organisers, the protesters are demanding that Greece ends all cooperation with Israel. They are also calling for Greece to stop any involvement in Israel’s plans in the Middle East.
At the government level, Greece and Israel have maintained a close relationship in recent years, with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu holding a number of meetings.
In March 2025, the two leaders reaffirmed their nations’ “strategic relationship” and discussed “further deepening of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of defence,” according to a statement from the Greek PM’s office. Last month, Athens announced that it had approved the purchase of an air defence system worth up to €3.5 billion from Israel.