Activists vandalized the Rotterdam office of container giant Maersk early Sunday night, spraying “Stop the genocide” on the walls and breaking over twenty windows. Four suspects, belonging to the Pal Action movement, were arrested.
The action is part of an international campaign called Mask Off Maersk, pressuring the Danish company to halt military-related shipments to Israel. The activists are also targeting the Port of Rotterdam, which facilitates these transports.
Geef Tegengas, another activist group, has been vocal in recent months, even occupying the Maersk office in mid-May. Last Wednesday, a demonstration by Geef Tegengas at Rotterdam City Hall resulted in 93 arrests, one for allegedly assaulting a police officer.
While Geef Tegengas denies involvement in the Maersk office vandalism, spokesperson Maarten van den Boom expressed support for the action, stating, “We encourage any form of resistance against the genocide.”
Geef Tegengas, part of the broader climate movement, focuses on the port’s role in human rights violations, fossil fuels, and overconsumption, with a recent emphasis on Maersk and the port’s involvement in military logistics.
The activists cite a report by the Palestinian Youth Movement, claiming Maersk made over 2,000 shipments between the US and Israel from September 2023 to September 2024, including parts for armored vehicles, aircraft, and missile systems. They highlight the F-35 fighter jet, alleging Maersk has transported at least 1,009 shipments related to its global production chain since 2019, with the Port of Rotterdam as a key hub.
Maersk, in response, states it adheres to international laws and does not transport weapons or ammunition to conflict zones. However, it acknowledges that its subsidiary, Maersk Line Limited (MLL), transports goods for military purposes on behalf of the US government, including to Israel.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority claims it cannot refuse shipments of military goods without formal sanctions, citing international trade law and the risk of legal action. They state that without political intervention, the port cannot stop the transports, placing responsibility on the government or Maersk.
Activist Van den Boom argues that the port is complicit by facilitating such transports, regardless of legal responsibility. He believes that if a genocide is known to be occurring, intervention is necessary.
Internationally, pressure on Maersk is growing, with protests in Antwerp and calls to halt military transports to Israel during the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting in Copenhagen.
Recently, Rotterdam has also experienced unrest, with Geef Tegengas demonstrating against the arrival of a Maersk ship allegedly carrying F-35 parts from Israel.
Initially, a Rotterdam alderman denied the presence of F-35 parts on board a ship, only to retract the statement after contacting Maersk and discovering that the ship did indeed transport parts for the fighter jets from Israel to the United States.
The Netherlands is currently investigating whether Israel is violating its association agreement with the EU due to human rights violations, which could lead to sanctions, although formally it still supports Israel.
The group has announced that the actions will continue for the time being.