Protest greets arrival of Israeli cruise ship ΄Crown Iris΄ at Corfu Port

A protest took place on Sunday morning, 18 October at the main entrance to Corfu Port, following the arrival of the Israeli cruise ship Crown Iris. The demonstrators, mainly members of groups supporting the Palestinian people, voiced their opposition to the ship docking and the presence of Israeli passengers on the island.

Police and coastguard forces were deployed both inside the port and at the main gate, which remained closed throughout the protest. The demonstrators gathered outside the port facility's perimeter fence.

The protest had been announced by the Corfu Solidarity Initiative for the Palestinian People, which had called for a gathering at 10:30 outside the port ticket offices. The Elaia Occupation had also announced that it would take part.

The demonstration was part of coordinated protests by activist groups at three Greek ports in response to the scheduled arrivals of the Crown Iris: Kalamata on 13 October, Argostoli on 14 October and Corfu on 18 October.

In a joint statement, the Kalamata Anti-Fascist Movement, the Kefalonia Residents' Initiative in Solidarity with the Palestinian People and the corresponding Corfu initiative condemn Israel's policies in Gaza and the West Bank. They also criticise the Greek government's stance and call for an end to cooperation with the Israeli state and Israeli businesses.

Four days earlier, in Argostoli, approximately 1,500 passengers from the same ship disembarked under heightened security, despite a protest gathering along the waterfront. According to Kefalonia Focus, no incidents were reported.

The Crown Iris, operated by Israeli shipping company Mano Maritime, has repeatedly been the focus of similar protests at Greek ports. One notable case occurred in Syros last June, when passengers disembarked amid a heavy police presence and restrictions on the movement of demonstrators.

GIORGOS KATSAITIS