Why Greece did not let Israelis in and what strippers in Israel think about

A pro-Palestinian rally on Syros blocked the Crown Iris cruise with 1,600 Israelis. What Tel Aviv strippers are discussing and how this affects the entertainment industry — analysis from Strip-Israel. 

Why the news affected strippers

At first glance, what does this story have to do with nightclubs? However, strippers in Tel Aviv and strippers in the south directly depend on the tourist flow. In the summer, when Israelis are actively resting, night shows are filled with guests from cruises. Now many are afraid that route cancellations will hit bookings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt2hhg7bf7Q

A stripper from central Tel Aviv said: “Last July we had twice as many corporate parties with tourists. If the situation continues, August could fail.”

Talk in the industry

• Strippers in the north (Haifa, Acre) are already discussing a possible pause in summer programs.
  
  

• Strippers in the center are the most nervous: Tel Aviv is considered the club capital of Israel, and every news about tourists is felt instantly.
  
  

• In the south the situation is calmer, but Eilat also lives on visitors.
  
  

What the numbers say

According to tour operators, in 2024 more than 850,000 tourists visited Israel, and almost 60% of them at least once ordered night shows or VIP programs. About a quarter of all strippers in the country work in the center, and their income depends on foreign guests by 25–30%.

On July 22, 2025, Israeli tourists found themselves in the middle of a loud conflict in Greece. In Israel, club shows are pausing, and strippers are in shock — what will happen next?

Tourists on the ship and protest on Syros

“We were preparing for a walk around the island when we suddenly saw Palestinian flags and heard protesters shouting. The children got scared,” shared one of the passengers of the Crown Iris cruise liner. On that day, July 22, 2025, about 1,600 Israelis and crew members could not disembark. The Greek authorities, fearing conflict, ordered the ship to stay at the pier.

The cruise started in Israel and was supposed to go through Rhodes and Syros, after which the liner planned to continue its route. But instead of walking around the island, tourists had to watch a pro-Palestinian demonstration taking place on the embankment. As a result, the vessel headed for Cyprus, changing its plan for safety reasons.