Jet Ski Protestors Block Israeli Ship in Solidarity with Palestine

Activists were in the water chanting ‘free, free Palestine,’ while on the land, protesters held signs ‘block the boats.’ Pro-Palestine protesters entered the water on jet skis on Nov. 11 to try to block an Israeli ship from reaching a port in Sydney. Multiple activists were seen in the water on boats flying Palestinian flags, chanting “free free Palestine” in Port Botany. Many others were holding signs reading “Block the boats” on the land and flying the green, white, red and black pro-Palestine flags. Israeli shipping line ZIM, which was scheduled to arrive at the port on the day, was not able to dock in Port Botany. Palestine Justice Movement Sydney and Unionists for Palestine were among the organizers of the demonstration on Saturday. “The ZIP shipping line is a major supporter of Israel and the Israeli Defence Forces. ZIM ships regularly visit Port Botany,” Palestine Justice Movement Sydney said on Twitter. “As working people, union members and community supporters, we stand against war, apartheid and colonization wherever it occurs.” The group said they resolved to be there again as soon as they know a ZIM ship has docked. “We will fight to win our demands—no ZIM ships—in Port Botany while Israel is carrying out a genocide.” The event went ahead despite New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns warning people that living in a free country did not mean you could “walk down to the port” to stop trade. “Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East,” Mr. Minns said. “It’s a long-standing trading partner of Australia, it’s an ally of Australia. And it’s ridiculous to think or suggest that trade will be stopped because of the individual preferences of individual protestors.” In addition to the Sydney protest, protestors in Caulfield, Melbourne, were involved in a violent clash following a fire destroying a local burger shop. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton condemned the violence, and Free Palestine Melbourne apologized to the Jewish community following the evacuation of a synagogue. Meanwhile, Israel has revised the death toll from the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas to about 1,200 after taking into account foreign citizens who died. U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on Nov. 12 about the conflict in the Middle East. The leaders talked about the “need to protect innocent civilians and ongoing efforts to increase the continuous flow of urgently needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza.” On Nov. 6, President Biden also discussed possible tactical pauses to enable citizens to safely depart from ongoing fighting and possible hostage releases.



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