Riot police clash with anti-Israel protesters as Israeli ship docks in Rhodes; passengers disembark safely

Scuffles broke out between riot police and demonstrators on the Greek island of Rhodes today during a protest against the war in Gaza while an Israeli cruise ship was docked at the island, local media reports.

Television footage shows a small number of protesters chanting “Freedom for Palestine” near the port, with riot police pushing them back and minor scuffles breaking out. The cruise ship passengers disembarked in Rhodes without incident, Greek media says.

Anti-war activists had called for demonstrations on the island during a scheduled stop by the Israeli cruise ship, the Crown Iris, which was reportedly carrying more than 600 tourists. But representatives of local businesses on the island had opposed the protest.

Last week, the Crown Iris left another Greek island, Syros, early without its passengers disembarking after more than 150 protesters demonstrated at that island’s port.

Ένταση στο λιμάνι της Ροδου με την άφιξη Ισραηλινών τουριστών, πολλες προσαγωγές.

Συνελήφθη υποψήφια βουλευτής της Πλεύσης ελευθερίας. pic.twitter.com/gAPnUnxu1A

— Ακροκεντρώος (@akrokentrwos_2) July 28, 2025