COPENHAGEN (VINnews) – Danish police on Wednesday cleared an illegal blockade of shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk’s headquarters in Copenhagen, detaining about 20 activists who tried to disrupt operations over the company’s alleged links to Israel.

Around 100 protesters, mainly from the Danish environmental group Den Grønne Ungdomsbevægelse (Green Youth Movement) and allied with pro-Palestinian networks under the “Mask Off Maersk” campaign, blocked access to the building, according to reports. Police deployed officers, batons and K-9 units after the activists refused orders to disperse from private property.

The anti Israel trash accused Maersk of transporting weapons components and military equipment to Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Maersk has denied shipping weapons to conflict zones and says it adheres to international regulations.

Copenhagen Police charged the 20 detained activists primarily with trespassing and failure to obey dispersal orders. No serious injuries were reported. Video footage showed officers physically removing protesters who remained in place.

The action drew praise from pro-Israel observers for the swift response by Danish authorities against what they described as pro-Hamas and anti-Israel radicals attempting to disrupt critical infrastructure. Similar protests have targeted Maersk in other European locations over the company’s global shipping operations.