Labor federations, trade unions and civic groups marched through central Athens on Sunday, protesting U.S. and Israeli actions targeting Iran and warning against any deeper Greek involvement in a widening regional conflict.
The march moved to the U.S. Embassy before continuing on toward the Israeli Embassy, voicing their message that Greece must not be pulled into an unjust war they fear could spread across the region.
Demonstrators accused the government of siding too closely with Washington and Israel.
"Our country is involved; it has chosen an imperialist camp. It is aligned with the Americans, it is part of NATO, and that is exactly why we are protesting here in Greece, even if this war is not taking place here," said a protester.
Many attending the march said it was not only about condemning the conflict abroad, but also about the fear that a wider regional escalation could bring the crisis closer to countries like Greece.
That concern is also tied to Greece's strategic position. Protesters repeatedly pointed to the Crete Naval Base at Souda Bay in Greece, which serves as a major hub for Greece, the US Navy, and NATO forces.
The Greek government has said it is closely monitoring developments and is in contact with allies and that protecting Greek citizens remains its top priority.
"The Crete Naval Base is already on red alert, and that alone shows that the people of Greece are targets for retaliation. That is why we are demanding that Greece immediately disengage from this war and end all support for it," said a protester.
"We demand that Greece disengage from these imperialist plans and wars, that the Souda base and all foreign bases be shut down, and that Greek military missions abroad return home instead of serving these operations," a protester said.
On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched joint combat operations against Iran. Iran retaliated with a series of counterattacks against U.S. and Israeli targets across the region. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials were confirmed killed in the strikes.
Labor unions, civic groups stage anti-war demonstrations in Greece
