Horror in Crete: Israeli Tourists Flee as Protesters Hurl Stones and Metal Bars | WATCH

On August 28, 2025, dozens of Israeli tourists aboard the Crown Iris, operated by Mano Maritime, faced violent attacks from pro-Palestinian activists as they attempted to disembark at the port of Agios Nikolaos in Crete, Greece. The protesters, waving Palestinian flags and holding banners accusing Israel of genocide, threw rocks and metal bars at passengers, forcing many to retreat to the ship.

Keren, a passenger, recounted to N12, “Half an hour ago, we docked in Crete, and the first passengers who got off started running back because people were throwing metal bars and rocks. Fifteen minutes later, we weren’t allowed off the ship. The port closed its gates, and everyone returned to the ship. Those who got off first were hit with rocks and bars. People fled for their lives.” Another passenger, Ido Nahum, added, “It started when we got off and headed toward the port exit. About 25 pro-Palestinian protesters were outside the fence, shouting and holding signs. Police were there, but the protesters attacked with stones. They sprayed water on people and beat two officers trying to intervene. One person was injured after being attacked by five protesters.”

Greek riot police intervened, using pepper spray to disperse the crowd, and four protesters were detained. Despite the police response, some passengers remained wary, with Keren noting, “People were attacked again and had to return. We can’t disembark in Crete.” The ship, which sailed from Haifa on August 26 and stopped in Rhodes without incident, is set to dock at another Cretan port tomorrow. The incident follows a similar July 22 event in Syros, where 300 protesters blocked 1,600 Israelis from disembarking, rerouting the ship to Cyprus. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar contacted his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, urging action. Greece, hosting 621,000 Israeli tourists in 2024, condemned the attacks, with Minister Adonis Georgiadis stating, “I want to send a message of great alliance and friendship to Israel.” The surge in such protests, amid a 200% rise in European antisemitic incidents since October 2023, shows growing anti-Israel sentiment fuelled by the war in Gaza and bias propaganda on social media.