Namibia bars ship suspected of carrying arms to Israel

Walvis Bay (Quds News Network)- Namibia has blocked a vessel suspected of carrying military cargo intended for Israel from docking at its largest commercial port, Walvis Bay. The ship, named MV Kathrin, reportedly carrying explosive material, had requested permission to dock but was turned away by Namibian authorities.
Namibian Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab confirmed the decision, stating that the ship was stopped because it contained explosive material destined for Israel. This action aligns with Namibia’s stance against the ongoing genocide in Gaza, where over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the offensive began in October.
The MV Kathrin set off from Vietnam and was suspected of heading towards the Mediterranean, possibly through the Strait of Gibraltar. While the exact reason for its planned stop in Namibia is unclear, vessels on long journeys often dock for supplies or to manage cargo. However, rights groups had raised concerns that allowing the MV Kathrin to dock could implicate Namibia in war crimes.
Namport, the Namibian Ports Authority, noted that it had not received pre-clearance documentation for the ship and pledged to maintain the security of Namibia’s territorial waters and ports. “Namibia complies with our obligation not to support or be complicit in Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, as well as its unlawful occupation of Palestine,” Minister Dausab said.
The decision has garnered support from Namibian human rights organizations, including the Economic and Social Justice Trust (ESJT). “We are pleased that our government has decided to respect international law and decided not to be complicit to genocide,” said ESJT’s Herbert Jauch.