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9h ago

Greek Riot Police Seal Piraeus Port in Standoff Over Israeli Cruise Ship Blockade

The demonstration follows weeks of union-led blockades of suspected military cargo shipments to Israel that have strained Greece’s diplomatic relations with key trading partners.

A protester paints a slogan on the ground, in front of police forces, during a rally to protest the arrival of a cruise ship with Israelis, in Piraeus port, Greece, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)
A protester waves a Palestinian flag during a rally to protest the arrival of a cruise ship with Israelis, in Piraeus port, Greece, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)
Protesters hold flares during a rally to protest the arrival of a cruise ship with Israelis, in Piraeus port, Greece, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)
A protester shouts slogans as she waves a Palestinian flag, during a rally to protest the arrival of a cruise ship with Israelis, in Piraeus port, Greece, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas)

Overview

  • Dozens of riot police sealed the Piraeus cruise terminal early Thursday to prevent hundreds of protesters from blocking the docking of the Israeli cruise ship Crown Iris.
  • Protesters led by PAME and other leftist groups alleged the vessel was carrying soldiers rather than tourists and framed their action as solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
  • Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis has threatened to prosecute anyone who prevents third-country nationals from visiting Greece under anti-racism laws.
  • Piraeus dockworkers union ENEDEP has maintained its refusal to unload five Ever Golden containers suspected of containing military-grade steel since mid-July.
  • The protests have prompted diplomatic protests from Israel and raised concerns about disruptions to tourism and Chinese-operated port infrastructure vital to Greece’s economy.