Protests erupt in Greek port city over Israeli cruise ship arrival

Hundreds of people staged protests in the Greek port city of Volos on Wednesday against the arrival of an Israeli cruise ship carrying tourists and soldiers, reported Xinhua, quoting Greek public broadcaster ERT.

The demonstrations coincided with the docking of the Crown Iris, which arrived as part of a recreational program for Israeli nationals. The largest rally began early in the morning near the city's KTEL bus terminal, with protesters marching through central streets under a heavy police presence.

A separate gathering, organized by the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME), took place at the commercial port gate, where participants held banners and chanted slogans expressing solidarity with Palestine.

Police blocked key access points to the port, while buses - some marked "out of service" - transported passengers directly from the port to destinations in the wider Magnesia region, including Meteora, archaeological sites, and mountain villages, according to ERT. Riot police escorted several buses to prevent contact between passengers and demonstrators.

Tensions broke out twice during the morning when protesters attempted to break police cordons. Officers responded with pushbacks and stun grenades, ERT said.

The protest in Volos was the latest in a string of similar demonstrations across Greece in recent weeks. In July, activists blocked the Crown Iris from docking on the island of Syros, clashed with riot police on Rhodes, and staged protests in Crete, all opposing visits by Israeli tourists amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.