Residents of the city of Volos in central Greece held two simultaneous demonstrations at both port exits to protest against the arrival of Israeli tourists. These echoed earlier protests at the ports of Syros and Rhodes, both popular Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.
The demonstrations began early in the morning, shortly after 7:30 a.m., when a large group gathered in the Palaia district of Volos near the port. Their aim was to prevent passengers from the cruise ship Crown Iris—which had docked earlier that day—from disembarking.
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Tensions at the port
At around 9 a.m. local time, demonstrators advanced toward the main entrance of the port, where they encountered a heavy police presence. When they attempted to enter the port area, riot police responded with flash grenades, heightening tensions.
Carrying banners and chanting slogans, those at the protests marched through nearby streets, voicing strong opposition to the presence of Israeli tourists in the city, with some calling them “unwelcome.”
Police in Volos, Greece on high alert during protests against Israeli tourists
Security forces maintained a strong deployment throughout the area to prevent disturbances and ensure the orderly disembarkation of the Israeli tourists from the docked cruise ship.
Despite heated exchanges and visible tension, the situation did not escalate into violence, and police remained vigilant throughout the entire duration of the protest.
Previous demonstrations on Syros and Rhodes
Earlier this year, pro-Palestinian demonstrators on both Syros and Rhodes staged similar protests aimed at blocking Israeli cruise passengers from disembarking.
In both cases, activists gathered near port entrances, chanting slogans and displaying banners, while police intervened to maintain public order. The protests were part of a broader wave of actions across Greek ports expressing opposition to Israeli tourism amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
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