Gibraltar and Spain are embroiled in a political standoff over the arrival of a US-flagged tanker, the Overseas Santorini, suspected of carrying military fuel destined for Israel.
The 51,662-ton vessel, owned by the Overseas Shipping Group (OSG), arrived off the coast of Gibraltar on Tuesday evening amidst growing protests from pro-Palestinian groups. Despite the opposition, it remains unclear whether the tanker will be granted permission to bunker in the British territory.
Activists claim the tanker regularly transports military fuel between Texas and the Israeli port of Ashkelon. They have staged protests in both Spain and Gibraltar, calling on authorities to deny the vessel entry. A group of 18 British MPs have also written to the UK government and Gibraltar officials urging them to prevent the tanker from using the territory.
The Spanish government has shown its opposition to the tanker’s activities. A Spanish politician has called for the vessel to be detained and inspected if it enters Spanish waters, while the Spanish navy is reportedly monitoring its movements.
The incident is the latest in a series of similar disputes since the start of the Gaza war. In May, another cargo ship was denied entry to Spanish waters after being accused of carrying military supplies to Israel.
