Anti-Israel protesters block Athens flight

Greek pro-Palestinian protesters delayed a flight to Israel for two hours by staging a demonstration against the situation in Gaza at the airport.

The Tel Aviv bound El Al plane could not take off on time after the group from a Communist backed union obstructed five counters, preventing passengers from checking in their luggage.

Police at Athens International Airport did not intervene but there were no reports of violence.

Giorgos Pontikos, a representative of the union, said: "This was an action taken in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their effort to establish a Palestinian state".