Recently, the German-flagged MV Kathrin ship sparked significant international controversy for transporting military explosives to Israel. This contentious event began when the ship, loaded with high-impact explosives like TNT and RDX in Hai Phong, Vietnam, set off to deliver them to Israel.

In response, countries such as Namibia, Angola, and Malta, which do not wish to support Israel’s genocidal actions in Gaza, refused to allow the ship into their territorial waters. Furthermore, Portugal withdrew its flag from the ship on October 17, citing a desire not to support actions that violate international law. This decision left the ship without a flag.

The 150 tons of military-grade explosives on board drew reactions from human rights lawyers and civil society organizations. The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) filed a lawsuit in Berlin to halt the ship's delivery to Israel. Additionally, UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, Francesca Albanese, warned that Portugal’s flagging of the ship could be seen as supporting genocide.

Subsequently, on November 3, the Kathrin ship docked at Istanbul's Haydarpaşa Port, where the “Ship of Conscience” had been waiting for permission to set sail for Gaza for nearly 100 days.

Whether due to a lapse in judgment, oversight, or intentional action, the Kathrin ship, which is complicit in genocide, was docked directly behind the “Ship of Conscience,” which stands against genocide and aims to support the people of Gaza.

Upon hearing this, a group of young people affiliated with the AGD organization, guided by their conscience, entered the port to protest the Kathrin ship and its bloody record.

Following the detainment of these young people, dozens gathered at Gate C of Haydarpaşa Port in the “Freedom Vigil,” an action that had been ongoing for 65 days, to support them until their release and the departure of the “bloody” ship from the port.

Finally, in the early morning hours, the Kathrin ship lifted anchor and departed from Haydarpaşa Port. It is essential to note that, as people of conscience, we will not allow any ship supporting genocide to find comfort in our nation’s ports.