Capitals, Dec. 23 (SANA) The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a grassroots international solidarity movement that includes pro-Palestinian activist groups, called on Tuesday to stop what it described as the largest shipment of military equipment expected to dock at Israel’s port of Ashdod since October 2023.
In a statement posted on its Telegram channel, the coalition said the vessel “Ocean Gladiator” is carrying 1,605 tonnes of U.S.-made munitions, including bomb shells, ammunition and military-grade chemicals, and is traveling through the Mediterranean before reaching Israel. The coalition said the shipment would be one of the largest weapons transfers to Israel since October 2023.
The FFC urged European dockworkers and port authorities to intervene, calling on them to “immediately halt this shipment’s passage through territorial waters and stop allowing arms transit that fuels the slaughter of Palestinians.”
“To all dockers, trade unionists, and international solidarity movements, refuse to load or unload any cargo that contributes to war crimes,” the statement said.
“Organize on the ground at ports and mobilize labor solidarity against the military supply chains that sustain genocide,” it added.
The coalition argued that what it described as genocide in Palestine would not be possible without the participation of governments worldwide, citing international law, which it said obliges states to take all measures to prevent genocide.
It also referred to the International Court of Justice’s January 2024 order, which called on states to halt the transfer of weapons used in such crimes.
Addressing dockworkers and their supporters, the statement said: “Every piece of ammunition on this cargo ship will be responsible for the deaths of children in Palestine. Let us not miss any opportunity to disarm Israel.”
The FFC concluded its appeal with a call to action:“Stand with the people of Palestine. Stand with the dockworkers. Stand against genocide.”
The shipment is reportedly passing through Spanish territory aboard the Ocean Gladiator, which is ultimately bound for Israel. Although the ship’s declared destination is the Greek port of Heraklion, it is expected to switch off its identification system at sea and dock instead at Israel’s port of Ashdod.
