Anti-Israel Hostility
Pro-Palestinian Protesters Pelt Israeli Tourists' Bus with Stones in Crete
A Mediterranean dream cruise descended into chaos when Israeli tourists aboard the MS Crown Iris came under violent attack in Crete. Stones shattered bus windows, passengers screamed, and police struggled to contain pro-Palestinian rioters as Israel’s flagship cruise liner once again became a flashpoint for fury over the Gaza war.
A peaceful outing turned terrifying for Israeli cruise passengers when pro-Palestinian demonstrators hurled stones at a shuttle bus carrying tourists from the MS Crown Iris, shattering windows and forcing the vehicle to a halt. The incident, captured on social media videos, unfolded amid a larger protest in Heraklion following the ship's docking at nearby Souda Port, escalating a summer-long pattern of hostility toward Israeli visitors in Greece.
Eyewitnesses described chaos: One Israeli tourist, speaking in Hebrew to local media, vented fury at Greek police for allegedly standing by. "The cops aren't stopping them, it's a disgrace," she said. "We wanted to head out, but people came back shaken and told us to stay put. By the time the bus hit Heraklion, protesters were waiting and smashed the windows." Reports also mention stun grenades thrown by demonstrators, though police deployment of tear gas and pepper spray was confirmed in the melee, leading to several arrests.
The Crown Iris, operated by Mano Maritime and carrying around 1,600 Israeli passengers on a Mediterranean cruise, has been a lightning rod since July 2025. This marks the latest in a string of violent clashes: On July 29, protesters in Agios Nikolaos (also on Crete) unfurled a massive Palestinian flag, chanted "Free Palestine," and clashed with riot police, resulting in four detentions.
Similar disruptions hit the ship in Syros (diverted to Cyprus), Rhodes, and other ports, with slogans like "Stop the Genocide" and "No Safe Haven for Israelis" dominating banners.
Mano Maritime condemned the violence in a statement: "We are a private company and expect the Israeli government and Greek authorities to address this. Similar attacks have targeted Israelis abroad, even on flights, this demands professional security action." Greece's government, balancing tourism revenue (over 600,000 Israelis visited in 2024) with public anti-war sentiment, has invoked anti-racism laws, promising prosecutions for blocking legal entry.
The broader context ties to Greece's polarized views on the Israel-Gaza war: While PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis maintains strong ties (e.g., via NATO's Souda Bay base, a refueling hub for Israel-bound ops), street protests, fueled by the Israel-Gaza War have drawn up to 5,000 in Crete alone demanding base closure.
Jewish groups like the Combat Antisemitism Movement label these "battlegrounds for antisemitic protests," urging boycotts of Greek tourism.
No injuries were reported today, but the bus attack has rattled passengers, many of whom cut excursions short. As the Crown Iris sails on, Greek officials vow tighter security—yet for Israelis eyeing Mediterranean getaways, Crete's welcome mat feels increasingly threadbare. If you're traveling there, monitor updates from Israel's Foreign Ministry.