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Crete protesters try to block arrival of Israeli tourists
Greek police used tear gas and made arrests as some 300 people tried to block an Israeli cruise ship on the island of Crete, the latest in a series of protests targeting the vessel.
The protesters at the port of Agios Nikolaos waved banners saying “Stop the genocide” as the Crown Iris approached, according to images shown by the public broadcaster ERT.
The images also showed police using tear gas to disperse the crowd, allowing several hundred passengers to board buses on the island.
“I had a sore throat from the tear gas and had to leave the demonstration,” said Elena Toutoudaki, a teacher in her 50s. Three people were arrested and later released.
Protesters have targeted the Crown Iris, with about 600 mostly Israelis on board, on other Greek islands.
On Monday, protesters scuffled with police who made eight arrests as it docked in Rhodes, while last week, 200 people protested in Syros as the ship approached.
Numerous demonstrations against Israel’s devastating war on Gaza have taken place in Athens and other cities across Greece.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest against the arrival of the Crown Iris, a cruise liner carrying Israeli tourists, on the island of Rhodes, Greece, July 28
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Paolo Minadakis, one of the demonstrators at the port of Agios Nikolaos in Crete, described tense scenes as activists gathered to protest the arrival of an Israeli cruise ship carrying 1,500 passengers.
“We are in a town of 15,000 people. We were around 200 demonstrators. Police anti-riot squads were sent from Athens with three coast guard vessels and army special forces,” he told Al Jazeera, recounting how authorities cleared the road to allow tourists while using tear gas against protesters.
Minadakis added that some of the tourists brandished Israeli flags and directed foul language towards the protesters.
It was the largest demonstration so far against the weekly arrival of Israeli cruise ships, he said.
“We are protesting against the genocide in Palestine. It’s disgraceful and disturbing having them here to spend their blood money in our island. This is our chance to show these people that their country is committing a genocide. Even in a small town such as ours, they will maybe wonder why are these people protesting.”
Similar demonstrations have taken place in recent days on other Greek islands, including Syros and Rhodes, as anger at Israel grows internationally.
Tourists arrive at the port of Agios Nikolaos in Crete, Greece, on Tuesday
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