The cruise ship owned by Israeli company Mano Maritime, which has around 1,600 tourists, was denied docking on Greece’s island of Syros on Tuesday.
“Crown Iris” was forced to change course and head to Cyprus after waving a Palestinian flag and chanting anti-Israel slogans, blocking access to the port.
The banner read as “Stop Genocide” was supported by protesters who had organized protests in advance through social media and called for solidarity with the Palestinians under Israeli bombing.
“It is unacceptable that Israeli tourists continue to be welcome here while Palestinians suffer on the strip,” the protesters said.
“As residents of Syros, but like humans, we are taking action that we hope to help stop this destruction from the war of genocide happening in our neighborhood,” the organizers declared.
Passengers who first tried to disembark were ordered back on board due to security concerns.
Mano Maritime acknowledged the confusion and said it was facing peaceful protests that ultimately blocked all access.
MNA