Jul 23, 2025
Approximately 300 residents of Syros sent a resounding message of solidarity with the Palestinian people on Tuesday by blocking the disembarkation of Israeli tourists from the Crown Iris cruise ship. With giant Palestinian flags and banners reading “Stop the genocide”, demonstrators gathered at the port of Ermoupolis and prevented passengers from setting foot on the island. The peaceful but determined mobilisation reportedly prompted direct diplomatic intervention from Israel.
The Crown Iris, operated by Israeli interests, arrived at noon carrying tourists primarily from Israel. As reported by Cyclades24.gr, the cruise ship remained docked without disembarking its passengers and eventually departed the island.
The protest was organised by a broad coalition of local residents, unions, and associations, who gathered outside the port near the Aegean Decentralised Administration building. Waving Palestinian flags and holding banners along the waterfront, the crowd marched along the coastal road to Kanari Square, transforming the island’s port into a site of political resistance.
Despite heightened security by the Hellenic Coast Guard under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code – including the temporary closure of the designated cruise pier parking area – the protest remained entirely peaceful.
According to reports, the passengers’ inability to disembark caused considerable dissatisfaction, leading to intervention from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is said to have held direct talks with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar to manage the situation and contain potential diplomatic fallout.
Israeli officials reportedly demanded guarantees for the safe and unimpeded disembarkation of their citizens, expressing concern that such incidents could harm bilateral relations and tarnish Greece’s reputation as a tourist destination.
Greek government sources claimed swift efforts were made to de-escalate the situation and protect tourism flows to Syros and the Cyclades.
Hundreds of #Israeli cruise passengers remain stuck aboard the “Crown Iris” at the Greek island of #Syros, following a large anti-#Israel and pro-Palestinian protest at the docks, according to multiple reports in Hebrew media.
Operated by Israeli company Mano Maritime, the ship… pic.twitter.com/eRsJeTyn90
— News9 (@News9Tweets) July 22, 2025
ΣΥΡΟΣ:Το ισραηλινό κρουαζιερόπλοιο ακόμα δεν έχει καταφέρει να κατεβάσει τους ισραηλινούς στο λιμάνιΣΥΡΟΣ. Η Σύρος φωνάζει “From the river to the sea Palestine will be #stopgenocideinGazza #Syros pic.twitter.com/jLCKGZQIrV
— NAGIA N (@n_nagia) July 22, 2025
With #Palestine flag covering large part of the port of #Syros island Greeks in soaring temperatures block disembarking of #Israel flag ship Iris
Police had attempted banning solidarity protests #IsraelTerroristState#antireport#Greece pic.twitter.com/9F2pIpDsJP— Christina Themelis (@tinathemelis) July 22, 2025
🔴🇬🇷 Les touristes israéliens ” persona non grata” en #Grèce
Des centaines d’Israéliens se sont retrouvés bloqués dans le port de #Syros, en Grèce, après que des manifestants pro-palestiniens les ont empêchés de débarquer.#Gaza pic.twitter.com/Li1MDrefNOpic.twitter.com/KExlRoTXqJ— Neruda57 🐝🕊️🔻 (@Neruda57) July 22, 2025
Hundreds of Israelis on aboard Israel flagged ship at the port of island of #Syros #Greece
Pro-Palestine protesters blocked their arrival defying police attempts to ban #Palestine solidarity protests. #ısraelTerroristState#antireport pic.twitter.com/cDQ0bmjEL4— Christina Themelis (@tinathemelis) July 22, 2025
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