Hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrators took to the streets of central Athens on Sunday, August 9, joining a nationwide Day of Action for Palestine held across Greece in solidarity with the Palestinian people and against Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza.

The main Athens demonstration began at Monastiraki Square and marched toward Syntagma Square, in front of the Greek Parliament. Similar solidarity actions were reported in more than 90 locations across the country, including major cities, towns and popular tourist destinations.

Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags, wore keffiyehs and chanted slogans including “Freedom for Palestine,” “Solidarity with Palestine, no cooperation with Israel,” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

The protests were organized by a coalition of Palestinian solidarity groups, including the Palestinian Community in Greece, BDS Greece, March to Gaza Greece and the “Stop the War – Solidarity with Palestine” alliance, along with various left-wing organizations and political groups.

Protesters Demand End to Cooperation With Israel

Organizers called on the Greek government to end military, political and economic cooperation with Israel and demanded an arms embargo, sanctions and restrictions on Israeli tourism and visa-free entry.

Protesters argued that Greece should take a stronger position in defense of Palestinian rights and distance itself from policies that, in their view, contribute to the continuation of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

Similar demonstrations were held in Thessaloniki, Patras and Nafplio, as well as in several tourist destinations popular with Israeli visitors.

Israeli Authorities Issue Advisory to Citizens

Ahead of the demonstrations, Israel’s Foreign Ministry and Diaspora Ministry issued advisories urging Israeli citizens in Greece to avoid protest locations and refrain from engaging in political discussions in public.

The advisories also urged Israelis to conceal identifying symbols, including Jewish or Israeli markers, citing concerns over possible confrontations.

The warnings came as Greek cities experienced increased summer tourist activity, including large numbers of foreign visitors.

Gaza War Remains Central to Protests

The demonstrations reflect continued public solidarity with Palestinians in Greece, where pro-Palestine protests have taken place regularly since the escalation of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.

Previous demonstrations in Athens have attracted thousands of people, including marches toward the Israeli Embassy, student solidarity encampments and symbolic actions at prominent locations such as the Acropolis.

Greek authorities have generally deployed significant police forces around major demonstrations. Some previous protests have resulted in arrests or minor clashes, although the August 9 demonstrations were reported to have remained largely peaceful.

The latest mobilization comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues despite a ceasefire that took effect in October 2025 under a US-backed framework involving hostage releases, reconstruction plans and a proposed transition in governance.

Implementation of the framework has remained stalled, particularly over disagreements concerning Hamas’ disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Palestinian health authorities have reported continued casualties from Israeli operations since the ceasefire, with Gaza’s overall death toll since October 2023 exceeding 73,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Humanitarian conditions remain severe, while widespread displacement continues across the enclave.

Recent diplomatic efforts, including a proposed 15-point roadmap, have also encountered obstacles. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected key elements of the proposal and insisted that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed.

Growing Calls for Greece to Distance Itself From Israel

Greece, a NATO member with longstanding but complex relations with countries across the Middle East and significant economic and tourism ties with Israel, has seen growing calls from pro-Palestine activists for the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to distance itself from Israel.

Demonstrators have described their mobilization as an effort to oppose Israel’s continuing genocidal campaign and the humanitarian suffering in Gaza.

Israeli officials and pro-Israel groups, however, have accused some protest movements of adopting hostile or antisemitic rhetoric, particularly when demonstrations involve Israeli institutions, symbols or citizens.

Despite those tensions, no major incidents of violence were widely reported during the latest nationwide actions as of August 10.

The demonstrations underscore the persistence of pro-Palestinian sentiment in Greece as the Gaza conflict remains unresolved, with activists vowing to continue street protests and solidarity campaigns until they see an end to the violence and greater protection for Palestinian rights. (ILKHA)