Over a year has passed since October 7, 2023, a day marked by devastating violence and widespread suffering in Gaza following Hamas’ attack and Israel’s retaliatory measures. This has ignited a global wave of pro-Palestinian activism, with grassroots movements worldwide taking to the streets in solidarity. In Athens, the response has been particularly resonant, demonstrating a strong tradition of grassroots mobilisation intertwined with Greece’s own socio-political dynamics.
Mobilisation in Athens
© Eurokinisi
On October 5, 2024, thousands of protesters gathered in Athens, braving the rain to march from the Park of Freedom to the Israeli Embassy. Organized by the “Stop the War Alliance – Solidarity with Palestine,” this demonstration amplified calls for “Freedom for Palestine” while denouncing Israeli aggression and imperialist interventions in the Middle East (EFSYN, 2024).
Chants such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “Close the Zionist embassy—murderers of children and civilians” reverberated through the streets. Protesters carried Palestinian and Lebanese flags, alongside banners from various unions, student organizations, and activist groups, illustrating the breadth of support for the Palestinian cause. The event also featured speeches from representatives of the Palestinian Community of Greece, BDS Greece, and other solidarity movements, emphasizing the interconnectedness of struggles against imperialism and occupation (EFSYN, 2024).
Strikes and Resistance in Piraeus
Beyond street protests, Greek workers have shown their solidarity through direct action.
On October 18, dockworkers at Piraeus port prevented the loading of munitions bound for Haifa, Israel. With banners reading “Freedom for Palestine” and “NATO killers, the world knows your crimes,” they took a firm stand against Greece’s involvement in military logistics supporting the Israeli war effort (Lifo, 2024).
The ENEDEP union, representing the dockworkers, condemned the use of Greek infrastructure to perpetuate violence. Union leader Markos Bekris declared, “We will not allow the port of Piraeus to become a base for war. It is time for Greece to disengage from imperialist designs” (Lifo, 2024). This act of defiance highlighted the intersection of local labor struggles with international solidarity, linking domestic worker rights to broader calls for justice.
The Broader Context of Solidarity
Athens’ pro-Palestinian demonstrations are part of a broader nationwide movement. On October 5, similar marches occurred across Greece, including in Thessaloniki, Patras, and Crete, showcasing the widespread commitment of Greek civil society to the Palestinian cause. In Athens, the march drew attention to broader regional issues, such as the U.S.’s role in supporting Israel and the complicity of European nations in the occupation of Palestine (EFSYN, 2024).
Despite the strong grassroots support, pro-Palestinian activism in Greece often faces significant challenges. On October 7, 2024, another demonstration in Athens saw heightened police presence and clashes between activists and authorities near Panormou metro station. Police detained 20 individuals, illustrating the ongoing repression faced by solidarity movements (ERT News, 2024).
Linking Local and Global Struggles
The pro-Palestinian activism in Athens draws deeply from Greece’s socio-political history, particularly its traditions of resistance against foreign occupation and imperialist aggression. Protesters’ calls for justice and liberation resonate not only with the Palestinian cause but also with Greece’s historical and contemporary struggles for sovereignty and social justice.
The refusal of Piraeus dockworkers to load munitions destined for Israel is emblematic of this intersection. Their act of defiance reflects a broader sentiment: a commitment to peace and solidarity that opposes war and exploitation in all forms. By aligning labor actions with international causes, Greek activists and workers underscore the shared nature of struggles against systemic oppression (Lifo, 2024).
Moving Forward
The grassroots pro-Palestinian movement in Athens exemplifies the power of collective action in fostering transnational solidarity. Through sustained protests, labour strikes, and public demonstrations, Greek civil society reaffirms its dedication to amplifying marginalized voices and challenging systems of oppression.
References
- EFSYN. (2024, October 5). Χιλιάδες διαδηλωτές φώναξαν “Λευτεριά στην Παλαιστίνη” [Thousands of protesters chanted “Freedom for Palestine”]. Retrieved from EFSYN
- Lifo. (2024, October 18). Οι λιμενεργάτες του Πειραιά εμπόδισαν πλοίο να φορτώσει κοντέινερ με πολεμοφόδια για το Ισραήλ [Piraeus dockworkers blocked a ship from loading munitions for Israel]. Retrieved from Lifo
- ERT News. (2024, October 7). Πορεία υπέρ της Παλαιστίνης στην Αθήνα με κατεύθυνση την πρεσβεία του Ισραήλ [March for Palestine in Athens towards the Israeli Embassy]. Retrieved from ERT News
Comments
One response to “Grassroots Activism for Palestine in Athens”
I lived in Athens for a stint and was lucky enough to observe how implicated people were with different causes, and how visibly active. I´m glad to find out this is the case with the pro-Palestinian movement, and was very interested to learn about the history behind it, linked to Greece´s own struggles. The resilience of this type of grassroots movement reminds me of how interconnected our struggles for justice are, while also making me wonder, what maintains this type of non-violent resistance when there is a risk of repression, especially when the protester´s safety is at risk?