The ship, bearing both Israeli and Egyptian flags as per Suez Canal regulations, traveled south from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. The canal’s guidelines require vessels to display the host nation’s flag alongside the flag of their country of registration.
The SCA statement marks the second response in a week by Egyptian authorities to social media posts, reflecting heightened public scrutiny as anti-Israeli sentiment surges over the ongoing Gaza conflict. Critics on social media have expressed frustration over what they see as limited action by Egypt in response to the Gaza situation.
The SCA reiterated its commitment to international agreements, including the Constantinople Convention of 1888, which mandates free passage for all vessels through the Suez Canal in both wartime and peacetime, regardless of the vessel’s nationality. This convention explicitly prohibits interference with any ship’s passage through the canal or the imposition of a blockade.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s military issued its own statement last Thursday, denying allegations circulating on social media that it is aiding Israel in Gaza. This response followed reports that a shipment of explosives, allegedly intended for Israel, had arrived at Egypt’s Alexandria port.
In response to these claims, the Egyptian Armed Forces firmly denied any assistance to Israel in its military actions. The denial came as a pro-Palestinian legal group in Berlin filed an appeal to prevent a 150-ton shipment of military-grade explosives from reaching Israel’s defense contractor, Elbit Systems. The explosives, carried by the German cargo ship MV Kathrin, were purportedly intended for military use in Gaza.
Egypt’s Transport Ministry clarified that the MV Kathrin docked at Alexandria to deliver a shipment for Egypt’s Ministry of Military Production before it was scheduled to depart for Turkey. The vessel has faced restricted access at various African and European ports, including Angola, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Malta, due to the nature of its cargo. The ship was also recently required to switch from a Portuguese to a German flag before continuing its journey.
As the Gaza conflict continues to strain regional relationships, Egypt’s reiteration of the Suez Canal’s neutrality and open access aligns with longstanding international conventions. However, public opinion and social media reactions highlight the complexities of Egypt’s balancing act in the face of escalating tensions.