Activists in Cyprus are calling for a mobilisation to block the arrival of a ship in Limassol which is reportedly carrying military-grade jet fuel bound for Israel.
They have called for a protest on Friday, August 9, 6 p.m. at Limassol’s Molos. The demonstration aims to raise awareness of the issue and call on the government to refuse the arrival and servicing of the ship.
Protest organisers are urging Cyprus and all ports to block the “weaponisation of our infrastructure for Israel’s crimes” against the Palestinian people.
According to reports, at least three such shipments have reached Israel from the United States since October. The JP-8 fuel is used to refuel fighter jets, with each 30,000 barrel delivery enough to fill a jet 12,000 times.
The latest vessel expected to dock in Limassol is the Overseas Santorini, which is due to anchor in the port for refuelling after reaching its destination in Ashkelon, Israel.
The call to action is signed by United for Palestine Cyprus, Genocide-Free Cyprus, afoa, Far Right Watch Cyprus, New Internationalist Left (NEDA), Anatropi, Alliance Against the Far Right, Fascism and Racism, Cyprus Peace Council, MERA25, and Initiative Against the Fascist Threat.
Earlier today, trade union PEO issued an announcement in support of the mobilisation.
“PEO demands that Cyprus must not have any direct or indirect involvement in the war efforts and tensions, including the provision of any facilities to vessels involved in or supporting the war efforts, such as the tanker ‘Overseas Santorini,'” it said.
It added: “PEO joins its voice with the workers of the world who fight for Peace and a solution to the Palestinian issue.”
The Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL) has also called on the government to prevent the vessel from docking or refuelling in Cypriot ports.
The initiative is part of a global campaign to block the ships from being serviced at Mediterranean ports, operating under the banner “No Harbour for Genocide”.
Reactions in UK, Spain
Parliamentarians in the United Kingdom have also reacted to stop the oil tanker from docking in UK-controlled Gibraltar.
The Guardian reported that a cross-party group of MPs wrote to David Lammy, the UK foreign secretary, asking him to intervene to prevent the tanker from refuelling in Gibraltar.
The MPs, including members of the Scottish Nationalists, Labour and Green parties, have urged the government to “prohibit and prevent Gibraltar being used as a haven for the transport of military fuel used in Israel’s assault on Gaza”.
Protests in Spain by trade unionists and activists have already resulted in the owners of the Overseas Santorini abandoning plans to dock in the Spanish port of Algeciras.
Campaigners said the Overseas Santorini was carrying military-grade JP-8 fuel, delivered as part of a contract with the US government, that powers F-16 fighter jets.
Thank you @GBCNewsroom for this coverage of Gibraltar's refusal to allow the Overseas Santorini, a ship carrying 300,000 barrels of jet fuel to Israel, from docking in Gibraltar.
— Global Energy Embargo for Palestine (@palenembargo) August 1, 2024
This GENOCIDE ship is now 4 days from Israel. The fuel onboard will be used for Israel F-16 & F-35… pic.twitter.com/gUaUd0JQZ7
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