Israeli Cruise Ship Blocked from Greek Dock amid Pro-Palestinian Protests

A cruise ship carrying hundreds of Israeli passengers, operated by Mano Maritime, was unable to dock and disembark at the Greek island of Syros due to large pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests. The protests, which included local residents and port workers, called attention to the conflict in Gaza and sought to block the ship's arrival, prompting Greek authorities to prevent the vessel from docking for security reasons. Passengers aboard the ship reported being stuck onboard, with some waving Israeli flags and expressing mixed feelings of safety and stress, especially among children. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar engaged with his Greek counterpart to address the situation, seeking intervention to allow the ship to dock safely. As a result, the cruise was redirected to Limassol, Cyprus, with the cruise company maintaining communication with local authorities and estimating the protests would disperse shortly. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict and its impact on tourism and international relations.