Greek dockworkers block ammunition shipment to Israel

By Aysu Bicer

ATHENS (AA) – Dockworkers in Greece have blocked the shipment of an ammunition-filled container destined for Israel, refusing to load the cargo onto a vessel at the Port of Piraeus.

The container, reportedly transported to Greece via North Macedonia, was meant to be shipped to Israel's Haifa Port.

However, in response to calls from local labor unions, dockworkers at the Piraeus port gathered and took a firm stance, preventing the shipment from proceeding.

According to Greek State Television ERT, the workers had written "Murderers, get out of the port" on the container and voiced their solidarity with the Palestinian people, chanting slogans such as "Freedom for Palestine."

Markos Bekris, the president of the Piraeus Port Trade Union, released a statement condemning the shipment of ammunition intended for the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

"We have decided not to allow the shipment of war ammunition from the Port of Piraeus that will continue the genocide of the Palestinian people," Bekris said, emphasizing that the workers would not stain their hands "with the blood of the Palestinian people."

Bekris also urged Greece to halt any involvement in the conflict, calling for an immediate cessation of the country's participation. "We demand that our country immediately stop engaging in the war," he added.

Israel has continued a brutal offensive on Gaza following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

More than 42,400 people have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 99,100 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli onslaught has displaced almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.