Protesters block Israeli-owned ship from unloading cargo in California

About 200 demonstrators gathered at California's Port of Oakland to protest this summer's military conflict in Gaza, preventing an Israeli-owned ship from unloading cargo.

The "Block the Boat" protest Saturday targeted the Zim Shanghai, a 300-meter container ship. Because members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union said they were afraid for their safety due to the crowd and police, no cargo was taken off the ship. "I think it was a big victory today for those who are opposed to the policies of Israel in Gaza," organizer Steve Zeltzer told The Guardian.

Last month, similar protests took place in Florida, other areas of California, and again at the Port of Oakland; that time, the Zim Shanghai's sister ship, Zim Piraeus, was blocked for four days. Eventually, it traveled to Los Angeles, which is what the Zim Shanghai will do as well. Both ships are owned by Zim Integrated Shipping Services, the biggest cargo shipping business in Israel and one of the largest in the world.

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