Tangier Med Port Draws Criticism Over Alleged Arms Shipments to Israel

Friday 06 December 2024 - 08:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Tangier Med Port Draws Criticism Over Alleged Arms Shipments to Israel

BDS Morocco has raised serious allegations regarding the use of Tangier Med Port as a transit point for military supplies bound for Israel. In a press release dated December 4, the organization denounced what it described as the Moroccan port’s facilitation of arms shipments to the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), which it claims are being used in actions against Palestinians in Gaza.

According to the statement, the MAERSK CHICAGO became the fifth vessel in a series to dock at Tangier Med on December 2, reportedly carrying military equipment. BDS Morocco highlighted that additional vessels, the MAERSK KINLOSS and the NYSTED MAERSK, are expected to arrive on December 8 with similar cargo, including military vehicles and hazardous materials.

Allegations Backed by Investigative Findings

The Palestinian Youth Movement’s investigation, cited in BDS Morocco's statement, alleges that MAERSK operates a fleet of 17 vessels involved in a systematic two-phase supply chain. Between September 2023 and September 2024, the fleet is said to have transported over 23,500 tons of cargo, with a portion destined for Israeli ports such as Haifa and Ashdod. The claims suggest that Tangier Med Port plays a key role in this network, transferring shipments from transatlantic vessels to Mediterranean-based ones.

Moroccan and International Reactions

BDS Morocco’s condemnation includes accusations of complicity by Moroccan authorities, urging them to halt what it describes as “genocide vessels” from docking. The organization also voiced support for port workers who reportedly refused to handle these shipments and faced repercussions from both MAERSK and port management.

Earlier controversies have seen Spain take a firm stance, banning the docking of vessels suspected of carrying military supplies to Israel. Notably, the MAERSK DENVER was denied entry to the Spanish port of Algeciras on similar grounds.

Denials from Port and Shipping Authorities

Port officials and MAERSK have consistently refuted these allegations. Tangier Med representatives stated during the MAERSK DENVER incident that the vessel was en route to Oman and primarily carried food products during its Moroccan stopover. Similarly, MAERSK maintains that its operations fully comply with international and national laws, denying the transport of weapons or military equipment.

Calls for Accountability

BDS Morocco’s statement referenced Morocco’s co-signature on a letter to the UN Secretary-General, alongside over 50 nations, calling for immediate measures to halt arms supplies to Israel. The organization has renewed its demand for a comprehensive investigation and immediate action from Moroccan authorities to address these claims.

This controversy underscores ongoing tensions surrounding Morocco's foreign policy and its evolving relationship with Israel, set against the backdrop of growing international scrutiny of military supply chains in the region.