Athens: “We owe an apology to these friends of Greece who chose to spend their holidays here and were forcibly denied it by some,” Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis wrote on the social media platform X. “Our country remains hospitable to all and antisemitism has no place here!”
According to Deutsche Welle, his comments came in response to last Tuesday’s protests on the island of Syros, where around 300 demonstrators assembled at the island’s port carrying Palestinian flags and a large banner that said, “Stop the genocide.” They were there to meet the MS Crown Iris, a ship owned by the Israeli cruise line, Mano Maritime. The protest was organized by locals who wanted to show that it wasn’t acceptable to greet Israeli tourists while Palestinians in Gaza were starving, due to Israel’s blockade on aid entering the occupied territory.
Dockworkers unions in Greece have also been vocal about their stance against military shipments. On July 16, dockworkers and activists attempted to prevent the unloading of steel meant for military purposes in Israel. The activists claimed the cargo was transferred from one ship, the Ever Golden, to another, the Cosco Shipping Pisces, in an effort to keep the cargo “under the radar.” The dockworkers union stated they would not allow the port to become a base for military actions. Similar protests occurred in October 2024 and are expected to continue.
The episode on Syros has ignited a heated debate in Greece. Some locals criticized the protest as racist, labeling the demonstrators “shameless fascists,” while others supported the demonstrators, arguing that Israeli tourists should be informed about their government’s actions in Gaza. Accusations of antisemitism have been exchanged, even among right-wing extremists who traditionally hold antisemitic views but now admire Israel’s military strength.
Opinion polls in Greece indicate that just under half of the population remains neutral about the conflict in Gaza. However, among those with a stance, support for Israel has declined after nearly two years of fighting in Gaza. A survey by the Eteron Institute for Research and Social Change found that just over 40% of respondents supported neither side, while 30% favored the Palestinians and 17.6% favored Israel. This marked a shift from November 2023, when 34% supported Israel.
Political affiliations influence support, with nearly 50% of New Democracy supporters backing Israel, while only 12% of PASOK supporters do. In contrast, 74% to 84% of those backing left-wing parties are pro-Palestinian.
Despite the tensions, the alliance between Israel and Greece remains strong, with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis supporting Israel and maintaining close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Greece has allowed Israeli aircraft to take shelter on its islands and has continued military cooperation with Israel. Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis advocates for a balanced stance, supporting a two-state solution.
Bilateral relations between Israel and Greece have deepened since 2008, with cooperation in economic, energy, and military sectors. Greece has become a popular vacation spot for Israelis due to its proximity and cultural appeal. However, recent events, such as the Syros protest, highlight the complexities and debates surrounding the relationship.