Amnesty calls for blocking German-owned ship carrying arms components bound for Israel

LONDON

Amnesty International on Friday called on governments to prevent a German-owned cargo ship carrying military components bound for Israel from docking at their ports, warning that the shipment risks contributing to genocide and other serious crimes under international law.

The Portuguese-flagged vessel, Holger G, is reported to be carrying around 440 tons of mortar bomb parts, projectiles and military-grade steel.

According to Amnesty International, the cargo is destined for major Israeli defense companies, including Elbit Systems and its subsidiary IMI Systems, which supply large quantities of weapons to the Israeli military.

Amnesty said it had verified that the ship is transporting metal alloys used in artillery shells, as well as items believed to be subsystems and components that could be used in missiles and rockets.

The Holger G departed India on Nov.16 and is en route to the Israeli port of Haifa, where the shipment is due to be delivered.

Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s senior director for research, advocacy, policy and campaigns, said: “The hundreds of tonnes of deadly cargo on board the Holger G must not reach Israel. There is a clear risk that this colossal transportation would contribute to the commission of genocide and other crimes under international law against Palestinians.”

She added: “Israel continues to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, while maintaining its unlawful occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and enforcing a system of apartheid against all Palestinians whose rights it controls, alongside other serious violations of international law. States that continue business as usual with Israel risk complicity in genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.”

Amnesty is also urging governments to impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel and to refuse authorization for the transit of arms.

It said Portugal, as the ship’s flag state and a party to the Arms Trade Treaty, has a responsibility to make every effort to stop the cargo.

The organization also criticized the German shipping company Reederei Gerdes, saying it must ensure it does not contribute to violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

Amnesty warned that states facilitating arms transfers to Israel may be acting in breach of the Geneva Conventions and the Arms Trade Treaty, as well as guidance issued by the International Court of Justice in July 2024.

Palestinians have accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire deal that halted a two-year war that has killed nearly 70,700 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 170,000 others since October 2023.

According to the Health Ministry, at least 395 Palestinians have been killed and 1,088 others wounded in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire.