Ramallah/Jerusalem — On Monday, over 50 major trade union federations from across the globe issued an urgent appeal demanding an immediate end to what they describe as the “genocide” taking place in Gaza. Their statement called on all military operations and border crossing closures in Gaza be immediately discontinued while offering full support for Palestinian workers’ rights and dignity.
Yesterday, Shaher Saad of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) applauded a joint declaration issued by 52 global and Arab trade union bodies. This statement condemned Israeli military actions as an assault not just on homes and infrastructure but on society itself: entire homes, neighborhoods, schools and hospitals have been demolished, workers are being killed trying to survive and workers are dying simply trying to survive, with these acts not just war but a continuing genocide targeting peoples’ very lives; “this is not war; this is genocide targeting people’s very existence”. Presstv.ir +3
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Unions demanded an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire as well as uninterrupted humanitarian access to Gaza – such as medical supplies, food, fuel, and other essentials. Furthermore, they called upon governments and arms manufacturers to discontinue all weapon transfers to Israel, emphasizing how starvation and siege were being employed as weapons of war (TeenVogue.com/9972687 | PGFTU | En Wikipedia (Wikipedia).
WFTU, representing over 110 million workers across 134 countries, joined in condemnation of Israel, noting controversial arms deals through Greece’s SINEDOR that may “be used to develop tanks involved in perpetrating genocide against Palestinian people”. They expressed further alarm that SINEDOR may “have produced products used by IDF forces committing genocide against Palestinian people”. They added their remarks as English Wafa Faha Press Association published their analysis – including this section highlighting arms deals between SINDOR products being used against Palestinian people while its products causing genocide against Palestinian people. (ENGWAFA.ps1).
Labor groups have extended the call for solidarity beyond mere condemnation; instead they’ve asked their member unions worldwide to press their governments into adopting diplomatic, trade, and legal measures that support Palestinian self-determination, including Israeli recognition of a Palestinian state.
This surge of union solidarity demonstrates a global labor consensus: workers are speaking out not just through statements but also coordinated action. Dockworkers in Europe have taken bold measures against military exports bound for Israel – with France’s CGT union taking an especially bold stance by blocking arms-laden vessels bound for Israel at Fos-Marseille port on June 4 (truthout.org/+1 for more).
As part of their work to advance humanitarian access and end military support for Israel, various trade unions in the UK – such as Unite, Unison, Fire Brigades Union (FBU), Royal College of Nursing (RCN), have issued clear calls for ceasefire and humanitarian access. Many also support targeted boycotts against companies providing military support to Israel (wikipedia en).
At Bloomberg Gibson’s Global March events, activists both within Palestine and from abroad have pressured labor unions to do more than express solidarity. At these gatherings, trade unions were listed as primary organizers in an attempt to draw attention to the humanitarian blockade and secure an aid delivery corridor.
Recent bombing in Gaza has only increased union demands. Gaza’s Ministry of Health has recorded over 56,500 deaths so far and according to union statements workers (teachers, health aides and transport staff) are being deliberately targeted as civilian infrastructure collapses causing civilian infrastructure collapse and civilian infrastructure collapse.
Labor leaders maintain that their actions are guided by ethics and international law. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has called on employers and governments to comply with obligations set forth in the UN Genocide Convention to end violence against civilians immediately, ituc-csi.org
As this movement expands, it is evident that labor solidarity is taking on greater geopolitical significance; one that could exert pressure on governments and industries to reconsider policies concerning arms exports and humanitarian engagement.
Looking ahead, unions plan to increase their efforts: by strengthening boycotts, filing legal cases under international law and organizing coordinated global actions — from dock blockades to public campaigns– to end what they describe as genocide and help rebuild Gaza.