Greek dock workers block military cargo ship headed for Israel

The union workers stopped the truck holding 21 tons of ammunition meant to be loaded onto a ship bound for Israel.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF OCTOBER 21, 2024 13:42

A view of a yacht (R) whose crew members allegedly caused a forest fire with fireworks launched from the vessel on the island of Hydra, in a marina in southern Athens suburb, Greece June 23, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki)

Greek dock workers in Piraeus prevented the loading of a container ship with military supplies for Israel on Thursday, BalkanInsight reported. 

The Union of Cargo Handling Workers, ENEDEP, stopped the truck coming from North Macedonia from entering the port and its container holding 21 tons of ammunition meant to be loaded onto a ship bound for Israel.

Before the incident, the dockworkers' union had called on workers to protest and block the shipment of weapons and ammunition that would be used in the war against Hamas, Reuters wrote.

"It's time to shout that we won't allow Piraeus port to become a war springboard," read their statement on Facebook. "We fight for peace–no to Greece's participation in the war!"

Greece stance on Israel 

Greece had previously condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas terrorists against Israel but has called for a halt to Israel's ground and air assault on Gaza.

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis talks during his interview with Reuters, following his visit to Ramallah, in the West Bank, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens, Greece, November 17, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki)

It’s not the first time that union workers have prevented the loading of cargo intended for Israel. In June, they prevented a ship from docking at the port in Piraeus, which also transported military materiel to Israel.

The truck containing the cargo remains with port authorities, and an investigation has been launched into the incident. 

Reuters contributed to this report.