Recent incidents targeting Israelis in Greece, including the prevention of Israeli tourists from disembarking the Mano Maritime cruise ship in Syros and attacks on Israeli youth in Rhodes, have prompted a significant Greek official response. Greek Ambassador to Israel Maya Solomon mobilized her entire embassy team on Tuesday to address the crisis and issued apologies to Mano Maritime and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar regarding the serious incident on Syros.
The Greek Embassy directed Israel Hayom to government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, who declared, “The incident in Piraeus is horrific; antisemitism and every form of fascism and racism will not be accepted in Greece.”
A cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists try to approach the Aegean Sea island of Syros, Greece, Tuesday, July 22, 2025 (Photo: Nikos Panagiotopoulos/InTime News /AP) AP
“Our nation will not permit – and this message must reach both authorities and everyone else, who generally perform excellent work – racist behaviors,” Marinakis stated. “We will employ all necessary measures to ensure that in similar situations there will be protection for citizens, regardless of their origin, nationality, religion, or any other factor.”
“I believe what occurred in Syros is horrific. No other words can describe it. Nevertheless, I must characterize this as a unique and isolated event, as a Greek government representative. Authorities must take every action to prevent repetition in any future instance.”
Greece says NO to Israelis entering Syros: pic.twitter.com/0cjqDKgLBa
— PalMedia (@PalMediaOrg) July 22, 2025
However, considerable numbers of Greeks on social networks expressed support for these actions.
“Regrettably, certain vocal minorities create confusion. Demonstrating or protesting about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is one matter – naturally permitted, and something about which the Greek government was first to express humanitarian and clear positions. Quite different is when democratic protest transforms into a demonstration, which, in my view, possesses fascist characteristics.
“When you target people based on their origin, nationality, or religion, you establish a fear regime. The ship captain’s decision not to allow passenger disembarkation in Syros resulted from this created atmosphere of fear. Anti-racism legislation exists, and authorities must – whether police, as circumstances require, coast guard, or both – implement this law.”
Did law violations occur in Syros?
“I’m not asserting illegal activities took place. Police must investigate this with the Justice Ministry regarding every real-time situation that develops. But certainly, once such circumstances arose, authorities should have enforced order somehow and guaranteed safe passenger disembarkation from every perspective.”
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis sought to convey messages not only to Israel but to international tourists. “When next considering passenger and citizen security against any other considerations, security must take priority. I repeat that we support every protest and demonstration conducted within the bounds of the law. The law is explicit.”
“Naturally, demonstrating is permitted and represents both human and understandable behavior. But authorities must enforce legal requirements. If citizens require relocation, they should move to appropriate demonstration locations. If arrests become necessary because behavior violates anti-racism statutes, authorities should make arrests. Police maintain absolute societal support from the overwhelming majority. They perform outstanding work – to avoid misunderstanding – in numerous challenging cases under extremely difficult conditions repeatedly.”
Protesters demonstrate against the departure of a cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists on the Aegean Sea island of Syros, Greece, Tuesday, July 22, 2025 (Photo: Nikos Panagiotopoulos/InTime News AP) AP
Has tourism or Greek-Israeli relations suffered damage?
“In my assessment, no. Understandably, such events generate concerns among citizens of affected nations. Again, Greek authorities must navigate the extremely narrow line between demonstrations and actions targeting individuals, regardless of their origin or religion. The former represents democratic activity. The latter constitutes absolute fascism. This we will not permit.”
Greek social media responses to the Rhodes incident included opposition to the attacks. “Turkish-origin tourists arrived in Rhodes for vacation, sought out and attacked Israeli-origin tourists? Indeed, the Greek government and police must acknowledge the seriousness of these issues. How can Greek police permit foreign citizens of Turkish origin, Arab-Muslim background, to reach Rhodes and assault other tourists simply because they are Israeli? Obviously, we learn this from Israeli media since Greek authorities apparently attempt concealment, and again – no arrests occurred.”
