Sa’ar asks Greek FM to intervene after hundreds of Israelis unable to disembark cruise ship due to protest

Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.

An anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protest preventing hundreds of Israelis from disembarking from cruise ship at the Greek island of Syros, July 22, 2025 (Screen grab from social media used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
An anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protest preventing hundreds of Israelis from disembarking from cruise ship at the Greek island of Syros, July 22, 2025 (Screen grab from social media used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar says he has spoken with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, to address an incident in which several hundred Israelis are stuck aboard a cruise ship near Syros, Greece, as pro-Palestinian protesters block them from disembarking.

As footage of the situation circulates online, Sa’ar’s office says he “requested [Gerapetritis’] intervention in an effort to resolve the docking of the ship in Greece.”

The Israeli Foreign Ministry, through its embassy in Greece, is also closely monitoring the developments, Sa’ar’s office adds.

An Israeli official familiar with the situation says the delay in disembarkation “may have stemmed from a decision made by the ship’s crew on the ground.”

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