Moviment Graffitti has sent an urgent letter to the Minister for Transport, Dr Chris Bonett, and Transport Malta, requesting immediate action to block the transit and docking of vessels carrying military jet fuel to Israel through Maltese waters and ports.
The letter highlights the transfer of military jet fuel on tankers Overseas Santorini and Overseas Suncoast, which regularly deliver kerosene-based jet fuel and JP-8 for Israel’s Air Force. This fuel, supplied by the Valero oil company on behalf of the U.S. government, supports military operations that have been widely condemned for their role in the systematic oppression and violence against Palestinians.
The Overseas Santorini departed from Corpus Christi, Texas, on July 15, 2024, and is currently near Gibraltar, expected to approach Maltese seas imminently. Moviment Graffitti strongly urged the Maltese authorities to prohibit the passage, entry, bunkering, servicing, and docking of this vessel to prevent the fuel from reaching Israel, where it would contribute to further violence.
This appeal is in line with a broader coalition of Palestinian, European, and international groups calling for a global energy embargo on Israel to end its ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people – No Harbour for Genocide. Israel’s actions have been deemed grave violations of international law, including the principles outlined by the International Court of Justice, which has issued binding orders that continue to be disregarded.
The letter further references a UN Human Rights Council resolution passed in April 2024, which expresses deep concern over the transfer of jet fuel to Israel in violation of international law. Additionally, the Arms Trade Treaty obligates states to prevent the transfer of arms, including fuel, that could be used to commit genocide, crimes against humanity, or other serious breaches of international humanitarian law.
Moviment Graffitti also drew attention to Malta’s own constitutional commitment to the promotion of peace, security, and social progress among all nations. The organisation urged Maltese authorities to exercise their powers to prevent the Overseas Santorini from transiting through Maltese waters, docking, or receiving any services from Maltese ports.
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Tkebbsux in-nar tal-ġenoċidju – Il-Moviment Graffitti isejjaħ biex il-Gvern ma jħallix vapuri mgħobbijin bil-fjuwil militari għal Iżrael jgħaddu mill-ibħra Maltin jew jidħlu fil-port
Il-Moviment Graffitti bagħat ittra urġenti lill-Ministru għat-Trasport, Dr Chris Bonett, u lil Transport Malta, fejn sejjaħ biex tittieħed azzjoni immedjata biex jiġu mwaqqfa vapuri li qed iġorru fjuwil għall-ajruplani militari lejn l-Iżrael milli jaqsmu mill-ibħra Maltin jew jidħlu fil-portijiet tagħna.
L-ittra semmiet it-trasferiment ta’ fjuwil għall-ajruplani militari fuq it-tankers Overseas Santorini u Overseas Suncoast, li b’mod regolari jwasslu l-fjuwil tal-pitrolju tal-ġettijiet u JP-8 lill-forzi tal-ajru Iżraeljani. Il-fjuwil, provdut mill-kumpanija taż-żejt Valero f’isem il-gvern Amerikan, jintuża għall-operazzjonijiet militari li ġew kundannati minn ħafna bnadi għar-rwol tagħhom fl-oppressjoni sistematika u l-vjolenza kontra l-Palestinjani.
L-Overseas Santorini telaq minn Corpus Christi, f’Texas, fil-15 ta’ Lulju, 2024, u bħalissa jinsab qrib Ġibiltà u huwa mistenni li joqrob lejn l-ibħra Maltin ma jdumx. Il-Moviment Graffitti sejjaħ bil-qawwa lill-awtoritajiet Maltin biex ma jippermettux li dan il-vapur jitħalla jgħaddi, jidħol, jingħata servizzi, fosthom ta’ bunkering, jew isorġi fil-port, sabiex dan il-fjuwil ma jitħalliex jasal l-Iżrael, fejn ser jikkontribwixxi għal iktar vjolenza.
Dan l-appell qiegħed isir flimkien ma’ koalizzjoni wiesgħa ta’ gruppi Palestinjani, Ewropej u internazzjonali li qegħdin isejħu għal embargo globali ta’ enerġija fuq l-Iżrael biex iwaqqaf il-ġenoċidju u t-tindif etniku kontinwu tiegħu tal-poplu Palestinjan – No Harbour for Genocide. L-azzjonijiet tal-Iżrael huma ksur gravi tal-liġi internazzjonali, inkluż il-prinċipji deskritti mill-Qorti Internazzjonali tal-Ġustizzja, li ħarġet ordnijiet li għalkemm jorbtu, qegħdin ikomplu jiġu injorati mill-Iżrael.
L-ittra tagħmel ukoll referenza għal reżoluzzjoni tal-Kunsill tad-Drittijiet Umani tal-Ġnus Magħquda, li f’April 2024, esprimiet tħassib serju dwar it-tqassim tal-fjuwil tal-ġettijiet lill-Iżrael bi ksur tal-liġi internazzjonali. Barra minn hekk, it-Trattat tal-Kummerċ tal-Armi jobbliga lill-istati biex ma jippermettux it-trasferiment ta’ armi, inkluż ta’ fjuwil, li jista’ jintuża fit-twettiq ta’ ġenoċidji, atti kriminali kontra l-umanità u ksur serju ieħor tal-liġi umanitarja internazzjonali.
Il-Moviment Graffitti ġibed ukoll l-attenzjoni għall-impenn kostituzzjonali ta’ Malta biex tippromwovi l-paċi, is-sigurtà u l-iżvilupp soċjali fost il-ġnus. L-organizzazzjoni ħeġġet lill-awtoritajiet Maltin biex jeżerċitaw il-poter tagħhom biex iżommu lill-Overseas Santorini milli jaqsam l-ibħra Maltin, isorġi fil-port jew jirċievi servizzi mill-portijiet Maltin.
