Demonstrations held in nearly 90 locations demand end to Greek military ties with Israel, arms embargo and sanctions as solidarity movement grows.
Pro-Palestine activists and supporters staged a coordinated nationwide “Day of Action” across Greece on Sunday, holding rallies in dozens of cities, islands and tourist destinations to demand an end to the country’s military and diplomatic cooperation with Israel and stronger measures in support of the Palestinian people.
Organisers reported actions in approximately 91 locations, ranging from Athens and Thessaloniki to popular islands including Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Mykonos, Corfu and Zakynthos. The main gathering took place in Athens, where protesters assembled at Monastiraki Square in the evening before marching towards Syntagma Square, carrying Palestinian flags, banners and keffiyehs while chanting slogans calling for freedom for Palestine and an end to what they described as genocide in Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian Protests Spread Across Greece:
The campaign was jointly organised by BDS Greece, the Palestinian Community in Greece and March to Gaza Greece. Activists called on the Greek government to implement a comprehensive arms embargo, impose sanctions, terminate military cooperation and revoke visa-free entry for Israeli citizens. They also demanded background checks for Israeli reservists and the denial of “safe haven” to those they accuse of involvement in war crimes.
In a statement, organisers framed the day of action as a broad wave of “dignity and resistance,” declaring that Greece must not remain complicit in the suffering of Palestinians. Chants included “It is not self-defence; it is genocide” and calls for solidarity extending from the Mediterranean to other parts of the world. The mobilisation built on previous protests that have targeted Israeli tourism, academic partnerships and military links.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry and Diaspora Affairs Ministry issued warnings to Israeli citizens in Greece ahead of the demonstrations, advising them to avoid protest sites, exercise heightened caution and refrain from displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols. Greek authorities increased security in tourist areas, though reports indicated the rallies largely proceeded without major incidents.
Greece Protests Demand End to Gaza War:
The protests come more than 1,000 days into Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has caused widespread destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis. Greek activists have repeatedly criticised their government’s alignment with Israel through defence agreements, NATO-related activities and economic ties, arguing that such cooperation contradicts public sentiment and international law.
Sunday’s nationwide action reflected the depth of solidarity networks that have grown in Greece since October 2023. From dockworkers blocking arms shipments to students challenging academic collaborations and island communities confronting Israeli tourism, the movement has sought to translate public anger into sustained political pressure.
As crowds dispersed across the country, organisers signalled that the Day of Action marked another step in a longer campaign. With Palestinian flags still visible in squares and coastal towns, the message from the streets remained clear: demands for an immediate end to the war, unrestricted humanitarian access, and accountability for those responsible will continue until, in the words of the protesters, freedom and justice prevail for Palestine.