Turkish activists seize German-flagged ship transporting weapons to Israel amid Gaza genocide : Valley Vision

Turkish activists stormed a German-flagged ship, MV Kathrin, at Istanbul’s Haydarpasa port in protest against its transport of explosives destined for Israeli military use.

The ship, which had offloaded 150,000 kilograms of RDX explosives in Egypt, was targeted by activists who boarded it, staging a sit-in while chanting anti-Zionist slogans to voice their concerns about the potential use of these explosives in Gaza.

The journey of MV Kathrin has been marked by controversy, as countries like Malta, Angola, and Namibia refused to allow it entry, while Portugal denied it permission to fly its flag. This forced the vessel to sail under a German flag before docking in Alexandria, Egypt—a move reflecting the challenges of managing international arms shipments, particularly during heightened conflicts.

This protest follows similar actions at Istanbul’s Ambarli Port, where thousands of Turkish demonstrators recently blocked another Israeli-linked ship from advancing towards Haifa, chanting, “No Zionism in our ports.” 

The European Legal Support Center, a German rights organization, criticised the MV Kathrin’s cargo, highlighting concerns about its use in human rights abuses against Palestinians in Gaza.

Activists at Haydarpasa emphasised the need for accountability in arms transportation and voiced anger at Israel’s actions, accusing it of violating international law. Their determination to prevent further shipments of weapons to conflict zones underscores a broader movement against military support for ongoing conflicts, and similar protests are anticipated as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

Since last October, the regime’s actions have resulted in the deaths of over 43,300 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, as it escalates its military campaign in the coastal area.