Palestinian Trade Unions Call for Immediate Action Against the Ongoing Genocide
One year ago, Palestinian trade unions made an urgent global call to action, imploring workers across the world to halt the arms trade with Israel. But today, the genocide continues – an ongoing assault against working people and organised labour.
As we write this, we are surrounded in the Jabalia refugee camp, under relentless bombardment. Across Gaza, airstrikes continue, and a brutal starvation policy is cutting off food, water, and essential supplies. There is no safe place in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel is inflicting the same violence on the West Bank, with bombings in Tulkarem and Jenin, and now extending its attacks into Lebanon.
We are witnessing the systematic destruction of our people. This is a call for urgent solidarity from the global labour movement. Workers hold the power to disrupt the supply chains and end the complicity of their governments. The time to act is now.
We call on:
- Labour Federations: Drop all your holdings in Israel. Divest now. Every investment in Israel is a contribution to our oppression.
- Workers and Trade Unionists: Every workplace and every trade union is a place to organise. Mobilise to eliminate Israeli investments from union pension funds and employers’ portfolios, including partnerships with complicit companies. Build rank-and-file power to demand that your union leaders push governments for an immediate ceasefire.
- Workers Along Arms Supply Chains: We call on you to intervene and disrupt the flow of arms that sustain this genocide, from weapons factories to transport and military research. This is no small task, but we need you to build your collective power to halt the arms trade. It is our most urgent need.
- Center Our Liberation Struggle: Tell the world about our struggle. We are fighting for our lives, for freedom, justice and liberation. We need you to rise to this moment in history, and move beyond statements. Be brave, take risks, and act with the urgency that Israel’s genocide demands.
Workers in Palestine will continue to coordinate international efforts in response to the trade union call from Palestine issued a year ago. Here are useful resources and upcoming trainings to support you. If you’re organising within your workplace or union, reach out and take action.
In solidarity and in struggle. •