Antigua and Barbuda responds to BDS calls, by prohibiting transport of military supplies to conflict zones under its flag

The HC Opal is in the eastern Mediterranean. The vessel, still sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, is believed to be carrying military supplies, including explosives and rocket parts and fuses, destined for use by Israel in its ongoing genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in the illegally occupied Gaza Strip.

After it was alerted to the cargo on board the HC Opal, Antigua and Barbuda issued a directive confirming that it is “strictly prohibited for any vessel registered under the Antigua and Barbuda flag to carry arms, ammunition, or other military equipment intended for delivery to, or use in, a conflict zone” and that a vessel in “breach of this prohibition is liable to be detained at the request of the Administration in a foreign port for removal of prohibited cargo, at the owners expense.” Antigua and Barbuda said in such cases it will also deflag the vessel and take other legal action. This directive responds to calls from Caribbean civil society and the BDS movement for Antigua and Barbuda to fulfill its legal obligations under international law in halting any illegal transfer of military supplies destined for use in Israel’s genocidal violence.

Maritime experts of the No Harbour for Genocide initiative alert: 

“Since Antigua and Barbuda issued its directive, the HC Opal has turned off its AIS, with its last known position in the east of the Mediterranean Sea heading towards Israeli ports. This “going dark” is in violation of the obligations under international maritime conventions, including obligations under the jurisdiction of Antigua and Barbuda. While these actions might mask public scrutiny on movement of the vessel, it strengthens the case of holding the captain, operators and owners of the HC Opal accountable in the delivery of military material.”

The law leaves no doubt: Transfers of military materiel to Israel while it plausibly commits genocide, perpetrates apartheid, and continues its illegal occupation are prohibited. As top legal experts confirm, flag states, coastal states as well as all those states that don’t take action while corporations under their jurisdiction engage in illegal military transfers to Israel, are to be held accountable for their involvement in these crimes.