Oakland, CA — Longshoremen were prevented from unloading an Israeli ship by hundreds of protestors who formed a picket line blocking gates operated by Stevedore Services of America at the Port of Oakland in California. No Israeli ship has been blocked in the U.S. before.      

The protest was a response to the May 31 Israeli attack on a humanitarian aid flotilla that was carrying supplies overseas to the besieged region of Gaza. The attack left 9 dead.  

The block began in the early morning as protestors awaited an Israeli ship that arrived in the afternoon.  Several continued protesting more than an hour after the blockade was successful. A ship from China was also prevented from being unloaded.   

“Free, free Palestine, don’t cross the picket line,” protestors chanted. 

The Port of Oakland is one of the largest ports in the U.S. on the Pacific Coast. 

Longshoremen  made no attempts to cross the picket line, although they lost a day’s worth of pay.  It is uncertain whether they will be compensated.  

Hasan Newash of the Palestine Cultural Office said he is happy about the global response to the besieged and blockaded Gaza Strip.Although Israel has occupied Palestine for 62 years, Newash said he is more encouraged than discouraged about Palestine liberation.