Cargo Destined for Israel Departs Marseille Port Without Its Militaristic Cargo Following Dock Workers' Mobilization
Refusing to Load: Dockworkers' Protest Against Military Shipments to Israel
The vessels sailed off, leaving the docks behind. The ship Contship Era, having experienced a standoff with CGT dockers at the port of Marseille-Fos over containers packed with military gear headed for Israel, bid farewell to Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône) on Friday, June 6. According to AFP and a port operator, the ship is now en route to Genoa, Italy, with an expected evening arrival for a brief stopover, as per Marinetraffic.
: VIDEO. Military cargo bound for Israel stirring controversy in France "Yes, the ship has departed and those containers are not on board," AFP was informed by Nicolas Morleo, Seayard's director of operations, overseeing operations at the Fos-sur-Mer terminal where the commercial activities on the ship took place. According to him, the containers are to be returned to their original senders.
On Wednesday, dockers at Marseille-Fos refused to handle a container containing machine gun parts manufactured by local company Eurolinks. Their reason? "A refusal to participate in the ongoing genocide orchestrated by the Israeli government in Gaza," they asserted. On Thursday, the workers blocked two additional containers filled with cannon tubes manufactured by Aubert and Duval, also slated for transportation aboard the same ship bound for Haifa, Israel.
"Not Part of This Genocide"
In response, the Ministry of the Armed Forces stated on Thursday that the license granted to Eurolinks stipulated that the parts would be entirely re-exported by Israel to France and other partner countries. For the cannon tubes produced by Aubert and Duval, it is understood, according to a sources close to the matter, that the license allowed for re-export to European countries.
Other CGT federations, notably the customs union, expressed their backing for the actions of the dockers at Fos-sur-Mer. They penned a statement on Friday stating, "Customs officers don't want to be complicit in this genocide," and added, "Customs can impose a ban on the export of weapons and weapons components, so let's do it!"
Dockworkers in Genoa, who were initially planning to disrupt port activities on Friday afternoon in solidarity, have postponed their actions until Saturday morning to ensure that "the agreements reached with the dockers of Marseille were respected," as stated on their Facebook page.
(Note: This action highlights a growing international pushback against Israel's actions in Gaza and signifies broader scrutiny of arms exports among European countries like France. Though some accuse the French government of continued military exports to Israel despite public statements suggesting a halt, the workers' decision marks a significant stand against militarism and in support of Palestinian rights.)
Despite the ongoing protest by French dockworkers, the Contship Era is heading to Genoa, Italy, with its previous cargo of military gear no longer on board.Meanwhile, dockworkers in Genoa have decided to postpone any planned disruptions until Saturday, ensuring that the agreements between them and their counterparts in Marseille are respected, as a show of solidarity against arms exports and in support of Palestinian rights on social-media platforms.
