Overview

• Protesters clashed with riot police as around 650 Israeli tourists disembarked from the Crown Iris, leading to multiple arrests.
• The vessel was rerouted from Syros last week after activists blocked its passengers and sailed instead to Limassol in Cyprus.
• Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis condemned the Syros blockade as “shameful for Greece” and said the country owes an apology to the tourists.
• Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar contacted his Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis to manage the diplomatic fallout from the protests.
• Local business leaders and island officials welcomed the Israeli visitors as concerns grew over the economic impact of travel disruptions.