Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the E12 gate of Piraeus port on Thursday morning to denounce the arrival of the Crown Iris, a cruise ship reported to be carrying Israeli tourists, including soldiers allegedly involved in military operations in Gaza.
The demonstration, organised by the PAME trade union alongside maritime and workers’ unions, aimed to block passengers from disembarking. Protesters chanted slogans against the war in Gaza, waved Palestinian flags, and carried banners reading “Freedom for Palestine.” They accused Israel of committing genocide and urged Greece not to serve as a leisure destination for what they called “war criminals.”
Police deployed heavily to the area, forming a blockade with riot control buses in front of the port gate. Traffic police implemented road restrictions from Leon Square, as the protest caused congestion in surrounding streets.
Union representatives also staged a symbolic protest inside the port, displaying banners and spray-painting “Freedom for Palestine” in red outside the E12 gate. In a pointed gesture, demonstrators handed police three fire extinguishers, urging them to “go fight the real battle” against the wildfires devastating parts of Greece.
The Crown Iris, which docked shortly after 7 a.m., has faced similar protests in other Greek ports in recent weeks. On Wednesday, residents of Volos marched against its arrival, clashing with police who used flash grenades to prevent entry into the port. Previous demonstrations were also held in Syros, Agios Nikolaos in Crete, and Rhodes.
Thursday’s rally is part of a broader campaign by unions and advocacy groups to oppose visits by Israeli cruise ships amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which Palestinian health authorities say has claimed tens of thousands of civilian lives.
