Australian police clash with protesters blocking Israeli ship at Sydney port
Australian police have clashed with pro-Palestinian activists protesting the arrival of an Israeli cargo ship that transports weapons for the regime’s military at Port Botany in Sydney.
Hundreds of people, including members of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and Palestine Justice Movement Sydney, gathered close to the facility on Sunday evening to protest against the arrival of the Gagnes container ship, which is operated by the Israeli-based shipping company ZIM.
Protesters then marched across Penrhyn Road, the main access point out of the city’s port facility.
“Any companies that are aligned with the Israel war machine should not be allowed in Australia,” Federal Greens senator and deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi, who joined the protest, said.
The demonstrators also slammed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over his stance on the war in Gaza, saying he had “blood on [his] hands.”
Police arrested 19 people, including a union leader.
New South Wales police alleged that the arrests were made as some in the group had moved to Penrhyn Road, “blocking the roadway and access to the port.”
The arrestees were charged with obstructing roads or paths, failing to comply with a move on direction, and remaining “near or on [a] major facility causing serious disruption.”