Scuffles broke out between riot police and demonstrators on the Greek island of Rhodes on Monday during a protest against the war in Gaza, while an Israeli cruise ship was docked at the island, local media reported.

Television footage showed a small number of protesters chanting, “Freedom for Palestine,” and “You are not welcome on this island!” near the port, with riot police pushing them back and minor scuffles breaking out.

Anti-war and anti-Israel activists had organized the demonstrations on the island to coincide with a scheduled stop by the Crown Iris cruise ship, operated by Israeli shipping giant Mano Maritime, which was carrying more than 600 tourists.

Despite the efforts to interrupt the cruise ship’s itinerary, Greek media reported that the passengers disembarked without incident.

Protest organizers estimated that between 100 and 300 people joined Monday’s demonstration, and accused police of using unnecessary force against them.

“The riot police started pushing us and chasing us away from the area,” one organizer said in a statement after the fact. “We crossed the old city and went to the other side of the port, where there was again a heavy police presence.”

Οποίος νομίζει ότι μπορεί να κάνει κουμάντο στο νησί μας, καταλήγει να φωνάζει «τι κάνετε ρε» ❤️

© The Times of Israel