More than 50 organisations are supporting the “Paddle out for Palestine” on November 29. It is being organised by City of City for Palestine (CoS4P) as part of the Rising Tide People’s Blockade of the world’s largest coal port in Muloobinba/Newcastle.
Hundreds of activists will jump on kayaks and other small boats to show solidarity with Palestine and demand an end to all coal and weapons shipments to Israel.
The action was sparked after a ship that left Newcastle on September 12, last year, delivered coal to the Israeli port of Hadera, near the Orot Rabin Power Plant.
Israel relies on coal imports to power its military and illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Last June, Colombian President Gustavo Petro decided to suspend coal exports to Israel until it ended its genocide in Gaza. Colombia had provided 70% of Israel’s coal use.
“After Colombia cut exports, Australia stepped in, shipping over 130,000 tonnes in 2023–24,” said Rachel Evans from CoS4P. “These shipments violate the International Court of Justice ruling that requires states to avoid aiding Israel’s occupation and genocide.”
At last year’s blockade, pro-Palestine climate activists organised an action to highlight this.
This year, the Paddle Out for Palestine action is also responding to the global call called by Italian dockworkers, over November 28–29. That action has been endorsed by hundreds of groups internationally, as well as activist Greta Thunberg and Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories.
“This year, we will be part of a growing international campaign to block fossil fuels, weapons and other material support to Israel’s genocide,” Evans said.
“We managed to pressure the Port of Newcastle not to send more coal shipments to Israel and now it’s time for Australia to put a ban on fuel and weapons to Israel.”
Rising Tide spokesperson Zack Schofield said NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns has “declared his intention to transition the Hunter from coal to offensive weapons, and F-35 parts have already been sent directly from Williamtown to Israel during their genocide of the Palestinian people — in direct violation of international law.
“This puts blood on all of our hands and cannot be allowed to happen.”
The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network has endorsed the paddle-out: “Australia must end all coal exports to Israel and join the global push for an energy embargo against apartheid and occupation.”
Other endorsees include BDS Australia, Socialist Alliance, Families for Palestine, Sydney Knitting Nannas, The Peoples’ Climate Assembly, Jews for Palestine, Australian Greens, Surfriders for Palestine, CPSU for Palestine, South Africa BDS Coalition, Kappen Met Kolen Netherlands, Extinction Rebellion, Friends of the Earth Australia, Move Beyond Coal, Wage Peace, Students for Palestine and Jews Against the Occupation ’48.
Palestine solidarity groups from Gadigal Country/Sydney, Inner West, Northern Rivers, Fairfield, Port Macquarie, Canterbury-Bankstown, Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains, Central West NSW, Muloobinba, Northern Beaches, Canberra and Tharawal/Wollongong are also supporting the action.