The parliamentary group Sumar, a minority partner of the Government, has filed a complaint with the General Prosecutor’s Office requesting the blocking of the cargo ship Borkum, which is scheduled to dock in Cartagena (Region of Murcia) in the next few hours, specifically the “military material destined for Israel that is stored in its holds or decks. Sumar also calls on the public prosecutor to take executive precautionary measures before the relevant courts, both the National Court and the International Court of Justice, in order to comply with the orders issued in January and March by the International Court of Justice, which prohibit any actions that could constitute the crime of genocide in Gaza. The Socialist Party, part of the Government, has denied that the weapons on that ship are destined for Israel, but Sumar has continued with its complaint, supported by information and documentation they claim to have access to, stating that the vessel is “transporting a shipment of weapons to Israel” destined for the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Podemos has also mobilized against the docking of the ship, which is already off the coast of Cartagena. The party has filed a complaint with the National Court, which has referred the case to the Prosecutor’s Office for a decision. Podemos member Javier Sánchez Serna will visit the port of Cartagena to check the situation of the Borkum, suspected of carrying weapons to Israel for genocide. Minister of Transport, Oscar Puente, responded to Podemos, stating that the ship will not dock in Cartagena until the next morning and that the cargo details and final destination have been provided transparently. Puente emphasized that port professionals ensure compliance with regulations without the need for populism.
The Borkum, originating from the Indian city of Chennai, carries tons of weapons of war, as confirmed by documents. A network of pro-Palestinian associations, the Solidarity Network against the Palestinian Occupation, claims that the weapons are destined for Israel and urges the Spanish Government to prevent the ship from sailing to that country when it makes a stop in Cartagena. However, the Government has stated that the information is false and that the ship is actually heading to the Czech Republic. Minister Puente presented the transit authorization of the vessel on social media, showing the Czech Republic as the final destination. The Government of the Czech Republic has issued a certificate stating that the weapons will be used “solely for security tasks in the Czech Republic.”
The situation highlights the controversy surrounding the destination of the weapons on the Borkum and the allegations of possible involvement in the conflict in Gaza. While Sumar and Podemos continue to push for action against the ship, the Government disputes the claims, providing evidence that the weapons are not intended for Israel. The outcome of the investigation will shed light on the true nature of the cargo and its intended purpose, while tensions persist between the various political parties involved in the dispute. The case also raises questions about international arms trade regulations and the importance of transparency and accountability in such transactions.
