A crowd of community members and activists gathered outside the Port of New Orleans headquarters Tuesday afternoon to condemn what they describe as the Port’s “active complicity” in Israel’s war against Palestinians. The rally came just days after the return of New Orleans resident and U.S. veteran Zue Jernstedt, who was detained at Israel’s Port of Ashdod during a humanitarian aid mission to Gaza.
Dozens of demonstrators lined the entrance of 1350 Port of New Orleans Place, holding banners and chanting as they delivered public comment denouncing the Port’s continued partnership with Ashdod. Many attendees carried Palestinian flags, while others held signs calling on city officials to “cut ties with genocide.”
A Detention That Sparked Outrage
Jernstedt, a member of About Face: Veterans Against War, was detained earlier this month while aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian vessel attempting to deliver food, medicine, and baby formula to Gaza. The flotilla was intercepted, and Jernstedt was held for several days before being released and returning home to New Orleans.
“The Israeli Port that New Orleans is so keen to partner with is the same port that in a few hours might illegally kidnap me, U.S. citizens, and humanitarian aid civilians,” Jernstedt had warned prior to her detention. Her statement was echoed by speakers at Tuesday’s rally, who framed the incident as part of a broader pattern of human rights violations.
Exposing Trade Ties
Members of New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP) pointed to trade data from the United States International Trade Commission showing millions of dollars in military exports through the Port of New Orleans to Israel this year alone.
According to their analysis, in 2025 the Port facilitated shipments of over $11.5 million in aircraft and helicopter parts, $119,000 in rocket launchers, nearly 80,000 kg of bombs, grenades, and other munitions, 441,000 kg of parts and accessories of military weapons, and more than $10,000 in electronic detonators.
Calls for Divestment Grow Louder
“We’re not just here to speak, we’re here to demand action,” said one activist. “This city cannot claim to stand for justice while enabling a genocidal state.”
While Port of New Orleans officials did not issue an immediate public response to Tuesday’s demonstration, organizers vowed to continue their campaign until city and Port leaders end their partnership with Ashdod.
