Sweden to Launch Week-long Boycott on “Israeli” Ships

Swedish dockworkers are set to launch a weeklong boycott of "Israeli" ships and goods to protest Monday's raid on a Gaza-destined aid flotilla, a union spokesman said Saturday.

Peter Annerback, a spokesman for the Swedish Port Workers Union which has around 1,500 members, said workers are urged to refuse handling of "Israeli" goods and ships during the June 15-24 boycott.

In a statement, the union said the reason for the boycott "is the unprecedented criminal attack on the peaceful ship convoy In Gaza. Several peace activists were killed by "Israeli" commandos and other participants were detained without any reason."

It also urged other unions and organizations to join them through similar initiatives and called for Israel to be brought to justice for the attack and that it respects international law "and that the blockade of Gaza immediately lifted."

Annerback said it was still unclear how much the boycott is expected to affect trade between the Sweden and "Israel" since the union still needs to identify cargos with "Israeli" origin.

Nine activists died after "Israeli" troops intercepted the convoy. Nearly 700 activists had joined that operation, most of them aboard the lead boat from Turkey that was the scene of the violence.