Violent clashes erupted at Crete's Souda port as pro-Palestinian protesters attacked Israeli cruise passengers from the Crown Iris, blocking buses for hours while police deployed tear gas and made multiple arrests in escalating demonstrations that continued into Chania's old city.
Several protesters sustained injuries, while others were arrested by police who fired tear gas at the demonstrators. The protest blocked buses transporting ship passengers from Souda port to the nearby city of Chania. Israeli passengers who confronted the protesters and police received citations from authorities, but no Israelis were arrested.
The protest began this morning as the ship docked at Souda port. The Greek teachers' union in Crete, ELME, announced earlier this week that it would mobilize teachers and education workers for the demonstration, even offering payment to teachers who would stop their classes to protest against the Israeli ship. The Alliance for Palestine in Crete joined the teachers' union.
As the ship docked, protesters gathered at the port entrance. Despite a heightened police presence, they managed to stop some Crown Iris passenger buses for an extended period at the port until they were forcibly dispersed. Some angry passengers confronted police, who prevented the buses from leaving the port and received citations for disturbing public order. Protesters threw stones at the buses, but no one was injured.
In the old city at the center of Chania, numerous demonstrators have arrived shouting chants against the Israelis who came from the Mano Maritime vessel. Police deployed with reinforced units in the area to prevent clashes between protesters and Israeli tourists.
This is not the first time pro-Palestinian demonstrators used violence against Crown Iris passengers: in the past, there were violent clashes when the ship docked at Agios Nikolaos port on the island, as well as in the capital Heraklion. Mano Maritime apparently preferred to dock at Souda port, which is significantly more secure as it serves as a US and British military base, however, according to passenger claims, the police failed to secure them.
The people of Syros in Greece block israelis on the Mano Maritime cruise ship: stranded, israeli passengers chant 'may your village burn' pic.twitter.com/wt0Zvb6CZf
— Sarah Wilkinson (@swilkinsonbc) July 22, 2025
Mano Maritime issued a statement: "The Crown Iris ship arrived this afternoon in Crete. A handful of protesters made noise in front of the ship. Mano Maritime is a private company and expects the Israeli government and Greek authorities to handle the issue. Similar incidents occurred in the past toward Israelis abroad who came to vacation on flights as well. This situation requires treatment by professional entities in the security field. Peace to all passengers."
