In response to the call from Palestinian trade unions to escalate pressure to end complicity in Israel’s genocide and apartheid, three major trade union federations representing over 80 trade union affiliates across the islands of Ireland and Britain announced support for workplace actions this Thursday 14 May, coinciding with the 78th anniversary of Nakba.
The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), the largest coalition in Palestinian civil society including almost all trade unions, salutes the three trade union federations – all affiliated to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
In Ireland and Scotland— the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and the Scottish Congress of Trade unions (STUC) are supporting the upcoming workplace day of action in solidarity with Palestine on Thursday, 14 May.
The British Trades Union Congress (TUC) is also supporting the upcoming workplace day of action in solidarity with Palestine on Thursday, 14 May.
Major British trade unions are affiliated to the PSC.
Under the banner of “Workplace Day of Action for Palestine,” all three federations have worked with Palestine solidarity organisations to answer the call of support for workplace solidarity action.
The BDS movement calls on all trade unions, student organisations and wider civil society organisations, across Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, to take action this Thursday, 14 May.
National demonstrations marking 78 years since the Nakba are organised by solidarity networks for Dublin and London with local demonstrations organised for Belfast and Edinburgh this Saturday 16 May.
Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the BDS movement said:
“Of all people, workers understand well what solidarity means. The Palestinian labour movement has called for meaningful solidarity with our struggle to end Israel’s genocide and dismantle its underlying, decades-old regime of settler-colonial apartheid. Ending all complicity in Israel’s crimes is a profound moral obligation and a necessary first step of solidarity.
“14 May will be a powerful statement of solidarity in this respect. When workers from across Ireland and Britain take real action to end the complicity of their respective states, corporations and institutions, they recall the best traditions of international workers’ solidarity. They also contribute considerably to building the critical mass of people power we need to affect real policy change.”
Amongst the calls issued by Palestinian trade unions on May Day was the call to organise, join and amplify peaceful actions to mark the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, on or around 15 May.
The workplace day of action coincides with the 78th anniversary of the Nakba — the planned ethnic cleansing and expulsion of most of the Indigenous people of Palestine and the destruction of hundreds of our towns and villages to create Israel as a settler colony premised on supremacy and apartheid.
Owen Reidy, ICTU’s General Secretary said:
“On May 14th, trade union members across Ireland will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Palestine. The Israeli government's actions in Gaza and the Occupied Territories are an affront to international law and basic human decency. Trade unions have been asked by our members to stand in solidarity with Palestinian trade unions and we will not be found wanting. We are calling on the Irish government to act with the urgency needed, pass the Occupied Territories Bill, and end any complicity in illegal occupation and genocide.”
Roz Foyer, STUC’s General Secretary, said:
“Trade union members across Scotland are outraged by the Israeli government's genocide in Gaza, the invasion and massacre in Lebanon and continuing repression in the West Bank. Along with our sisters and brothers across these islands, we are supporting workplace action on the 14th in solidarity with the Palestinian people and pledge to build ongoing action to pressure the UK government to cease all arms sales to Israel.”