Pro-Palestinian Groups Stage Widespread Anti-Israel Protests Across Popular Greek Islands

A wave of anti-Israel protests is sweeping across Greece, including the islands favored by Israeli tourists, with 91 protest sites planned nationwide from Athens to major tourist destinations. Organized by groups such as BDS Greece, March to Gaza Greece, and the Palestinian community in Greece, the demonstrations demand an arms embargo, sanctions on Israel, reinstatement of visa requirements for Israeli citizens, and checks on Israeli soldiers and reservists entering Greece over alleged war crimes.

The main protest in Athens is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Monastiraki Square, with additional rallies planned at Victoria Square, Haidari, Porto Rafti, and Playa Fokea. In Thessaloniki, a protest will take place at the statue of Eleftherios Venizelos at 7:30 p.m. Notably, many protests are set on popular islands such as Rhodes (6:30 p.m.), Kos (7:30 p.m.), Mykonos (7:15 p.m.), Crete, Corfu, Zakynthos, Naxos, Tinos, Samos, and Lesbos.

BDS Greece stated the protests aim to pressure the Greek government to change its policies toward Israel, including ending military cooperation and imposing sanctions. The radical left-wing group ANTARSYA also expressed support, criticizing the security ties between Athens and Jerusalem and Greece’s purchase of Israeli weapons systems.

These protests occur amid close strategic relations between Israel and Greece and ongoing extensive pro-Palestinian activism in the country. Organizers hope to replicate the nationwide demonstrations held last summer across cities and islands in Greece.