The Lassithi Sectoral Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) has condemned the planned arrival of the Israeli cruise ship Crown Iris at the port of Sitia on July 21, rejecting claims by government and local authorities that it represents economic development.
Communist Party of Greece condemns arrival of Israeli boat
The statement argues that the ship's visits elsewhere have been accompanied by protests and incidents involving Israeli tourists, including members of the Israeli military, and calls on the government to protect those expressing solidarity with Palestine rather than suppressing them.
The KKE holds successive Greek governments (New Democracy, PASOK, and SYRIZA) responsible for strengthening political, military, and economic ties with Israel, and urges the government to implement the Greek Parliament's 2015 decision recognizing the State of Palestine. It also argues that Greece's cooperation with Israel and its participation in US-NATO policies increase the risk of wider regional war.
The statement expresses support for international solidarity with Palestine, citing actions by dockworkers in Piraeus and a recent Middle East Peace Movements Conference in Crete. It concludes by calling for an end to all Greek cooperation with Israel, recognition of Palestine, Greece's withdrawal from NATO military operations, the return of Greek military forces deployed abroad, and the closure of foreign military bases and facilities used for NATO operations in Greece.
(Photo: 902.gr)