Protests Planned in Piraeus as Israeli Cruise Ship Docks Friday
An Israeli cruise ship called the Crown Iris is scheduled to dock at Piraeus on Friday, August 14, and Greek labor unions and solidarity groups are organizing a protest at the port to coincide with its arrival.
The demonstration is set for 7:30 a.m. at Gate E12, at the landmark known as the "Lion" entrance. The protest is being organized by PENEN, the Union of Palestinian Workers in Greece, and the Palestinian People Solidarity Initiative, with support from additional organizations.
Some passengers aboard the Crown Iris are Israeli soldiers traveling while on military leave.
One of the organizing groups, the Assembly of Solidarity with the Palestinian Resistance, is claiming that some passengers aboard the Crown Iris are Israeli soldiers traveling while on military leave. That claim has not been independently verified.
The protest organizers are calling on workers, trade unions, youth organizations, and community groups to join and expand solidarity actions in support of Palestinians. The mobilization comes as Israeli military operations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon continue.
Greece has seen a growing number of port protests tied to the Gaza conflict over the past two years, with unions and activist groups periodically targeting ships with Israeli connections docking at Greek ports.
