Tensions flared on the Greek island of Rhodes on Monday as riot police clashed with demonstrators protesting the war in Gaza during the docking of an Israeli cruise ship, according to local media reports.

Television footage captured scenes of a small group of protesters chanting “Freedom for Palestine” near the port. Riot police moved in to push them back, leading to brief scuffles.

Despite the confrontation, passengers aboard the Israeli cruise ship Crown Iris disembarked without incident, Greek media noted.

Protest rally at the Old Commercial Port – Customs of Rhodes during the scheduled arrival of the cruise ship “Iris Crown,” which was carrying Israeli tourists, on Monday, 28 July 2025.
Photo: EUROKINISSI/Argyris Mantikos

The Crown Iris, reportedly carrying over 600 tourists, had been targeted by anti-war activists who had called for protests ahead of its scheduled stop in Rhodes. However, local business representatives voiced opposition to the planned demonstration.

Just days earlier, the same vessel departed early from the Greek island of Syros without allowing passengers to disembark, after more than 150 protesters gathered at the port waving Palestinian flags and demanding an end to the Gaza conflict. The Syros protest ended peacefully, with no reports of violence.

In response to the Syros incident, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar raised the matter with his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis.