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Riot police scuffle with demonstrators on Rhodes during visit by Israeli cruise ship

Riot police scuffle with pro-Palestinian protesters during the departure of a cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists on the southeastern Aegean Sea island of Rhodes, 28 July, 2
Riot police scuffle with pro-Palestinian protesters during the departure of a cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists on the southeastern Aegean Sea island of Rhodes, 28 July, 2 Copyright  AP Photo
Copyright AP Photo
By Ioannis Karagiorgas & Gavin Blackburn
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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.

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

Television footage showed 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, who were mainly Israelis, disembarked in Rhodes without incident, Greek media said.

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.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather during the departure of a cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists on the southeastern Aegean Sea island of Rhodes, 28 July, 2025
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather during the departure of a cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists on the southeastern Aegean Sea island of Rhodes, 28 July, 2025 AP Photo

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.

The demonstrators unfurled Palestinian flags and called for an end to the war in Gaza. There were no reports of any violence in Syros.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar contacted his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, over the Syros incident.

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