Activists vandalized the Maersk Rotterdam office early Sunday night, spraying “Stop the genocide” and breaking over twenty windows. Four suspects, belonging to the Pal Action movement, were arrested in connection with the incident.
The protest is part of the international “Mask Off Maersk” campaign, aimed at pressuring Maersk to cease transporting goods for military purposes to Israel. The action also targets the port of Rotterdam, which activists say facilitates these shipments.
The activist group Geef Tegengas has been particularly vocal, previously occupying the Maersk office in May. During that earlier protest, activists chained themselves together to disrupt company operations.
While Geef Tegengas denies involvement in the vandalism, a spokesman expressed support for “every form of resistance against the genocide.” The group, part of the broader climate movement, focuses on the port’s role in human rights violations and military logistics.
Activists cite a report by the Palestinian Youth Movement alleging that Maersk conducted over two thousand shipments between the US and Israel from September 2023 to September 2024, including parts for armored vehicles, aircraft, and missile systems. The report also highlights the port of Rotterdam as a crucial hub in the global F-35 production chain, with Maersk allegedly transporting at least 1,009 shipments related to the fighter plane since 2019.
Maersk acknowledges transporting goods for the American government that can be used for military purposes, including to Israel, through its subsidiary, Maersk Line Limited (MLL). However, the company emphasizes that it does not transport weapons or ammunition to conflict areas and adheres to international laws.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority states it lacks the authority to refuse shipments of military goods without formal sanctions. According to a spokesperson, such actions could violate international trade law and risk legal action.
Internationally, pressure on Maersk is mounting, with protests occurring in Antwerp and Copenhagen. In Rotterdam, demonstrations have targeted the arrival of Maersk ships allegedly carrying F-35 parts from Israel, causing disruptions.
Conflicting information arose regarding a Maersk ship carrying F-35 parts, initially denied by a Rotterdam alderman but later confirmed after contacting Maersk. The alderman clarified that customs, acting on state instructions, is responsible for inspecting cargo contents.
The Netherlands is currently investigating potential breaches of its association agreement with the EU by Israel, potentially leading to sanctions. However, it still supports Israel and engages in trade, including in the defense sector.
Activists argue that the port facilitates the transport of weapons used in what they describe as “genocide” and is therefore complicit. They assert that if there is knowledge of a genocide, intervention is necessary.