Tension with riot police and arrests of Pro-Palestinian protesters on Rhodes as Israeli-flagged cruise ship “Crown Iris” docked with hundreds of Israeli tourists onboard.
Greek riot police was deployed at the port of Rhodes on Monday ahead of the arrival of the “Crown Iris” as local activists had announced protests against the war of Israel on Gaza and its policies against children and unarmed adults.
Σύλληψη διαδηλωτών στη Ρόδο – Ένταση στο λιμάνι πριν την άφιξη Ισραηλινών τουριστών#ingr #insnapshot #Ροδος #Crownİris pic.twitter.com/j6d89ILMG9
— in.gr/news (@in_gr) July 28, 2025
The port of Rhodes briefly became a scene of heightened tension between protesters and police even before the arrival of the cruise ship carrying more than 650 Israeli tourists to the island.
Police and port authorities had already taken increased security measures for the possibility of incidents.
From early on two riot police squads lined up both inside and outside the area, in order to prevent any contact or skirmishes between protesters and the arriving tourists, local newspaper rodiaki.gr reported.
During the protest, minor incidents occurred, while several people were detained and brought in by the riot police. Arrested was a former local counselor from the left-wing party Course of Freedom.
Riot police blocked the protest rally, pushing the protesters back towards the Old Town of Rhodes.
Holding banners and Palestinian flags, protesters chanted pro-Palestine slogans, such as “There is no peace without Justice – Freedom in Palestine” and “Neither in Rhodes, nor anywhere – with Palestine until freedom”, while attempting to reach the port.
They denounced an aggressive attitude on the part of the police.
The crowd chanted to the Israeli tourists “You are not welcome on the island!”, while they tried to find a new way out to approach the port again, where the “Crown Iris” has already sailed out to sea.
The “Crown Iris” docked at the port of Rhodes shortly before 4 p.m. 16.00.
With a joint statement, businessmen, shopkeepers and other tourism business organizations of the island expressed this opposition to the protest mobilization.
While opponents were protesting the Israelis’ arrival, local politicians and businessmen welcome the Israeli tourists offering them traditional sweets from the island.
Riot police forces are ready to prevent similar protests in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, the next stop of the “Crown Iris” tomorrow, Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
After the incident on Syros, Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis threatened to arrest anyone hindering tourists to set foot in Greece and announced he will implement the “Anti-racism law” also for such cases.
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Anti-racism is now code for Pro-Genocide. Shame on this spineless “Greek” government!
As I have previously posted, but was not published, the EU anti-discrimination directives do not apply to citizenship. They are relevant for discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, or handicap. The protests against Israelis are not covered by law, and the fascist Chrysochoidis can go boil his head in a bucket of water. Even if the useless Greek courts convict (wrongly) it will be undone by the European courts. We have a right to protest, and to tell a specific country that its criminal behaviour is not tolerated here in Greece.
Condemning a country’s role is not genocide and human rights abuses is not racist, it’s a moral duty. Hiding behind terms like anti-semitic or racism in order to preserve economic relationships is disgusting and
morally bankrupt.
Good lock the idiots up or better hand them over to oh so humane Hamas trash.
That still will not release the hostages or even try to give peace a chance.
I am 100% with you. Those commies, leftists and unionists have no idea what is really happening in Gaza and why. They blindly believe everything that the leftists propaganda feeds them. They willingly participate in the largest anti-Semitic media campaign financed by Qatar & Co. Release the hostages! Get rid of Hamas who steals food and supplies and blames it on Israel.
I think a high-ranking Israeli Minister said today: the hostages are not important for the outcome of the war. Also remember: the initial deal soon after Oct 7, when ISR rejected the release for concessions. chewing and blaming again again the commies & everything anti-neocon+pro-neoliberal makes you an average internet troll of no depth and arguments.