Amnesty International Calls for European Ports to Block Ship Carrying Explosives to Israel

Amnesty International is urging European ports to block a small cargo ship believed to be carrying explosives bound for Israel. The human rights organization argues that allowing the vessel to transport these materials violates international regulations. The ship, named Kathrin, has been under scrutiny since departing Vietnam in July. Registered in Portugal and operated by a German company, activists have raised concerns as it made its way to Europe, with a stop in Singapore for refueling before crossing the Indian Ocean to Africa.

Protestors successfully prevented the ship from docking in Namibia in late August after spotting it and raising concerns with the government. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, stated that there were eight containers of explosives aboard Kathrin, reportedly intended for use in aircraft bombs and missiles by Israel. Amnesty International Slovenia’s head, Natasa Posel, emphasized the urgency of preventing the deadly cargo from reaching Israel as the ship approached Bar, Montenegro.

Amnesty International alleges that the vessel is carrying eight containers of RDX Hexogen explosives bound for Israel and is expected to dock in the port of Koper, Slovenia. The organization calls on Slovenia, Montenegro, and other states to prevent the unlawful transfer of military cargo. They also advocate for an immediate arms embargo on Israel and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, warning that facilitating arms transfers could breach international humanitarian law. Reports suggest that Montenegro has withdrawn authorization for the ship to dock, potentially redirecting it to Croatia.

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