Israeli Minister Blames Pro-Palestinian Greek Crew for Delay of Cyprus Repatriation Ship

Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev accused the Greek crew of a Cyprus-to-Israel repatriation ship of refusing to sail because they were "pro-Palestinian," fueling a public dispute over the emergency sea route. The shipping company Amsalem Tours rejected the claim, attributing the delay to a Greek seamen's union strike and affirming that the ship's owners and crew were pro-Israel. The dispute arose as approximately 100,000 Israelis remained stranded abroad, though the sea route was later deemed unnecessary after Ben-Gurion Airport announced a gradual reopening.