Trade Unions across Six Countries disrupt Arms Trade with Israel
Trade Unions across Six Countries disrupt Arms Trade with Israel
Days of Action Roundup
Trade Unions across Six Countries disrupt Arms Trade with Israel
On November 9 and 10, weapons factories and shipments were disrupted across 6 countries as part of an international days of action against arms exports to Israel initiated by Palestinian trade unions.
Blockades led by trade union members at factories and ports across eighteen sites in Canada, the USA, Italy, UK, Spain and Australia highlighted the urgent need to stop the flow of arms that perpetuate Israel’s war crimes.
The days of action initiated by the Workers in Palestine coalition of trade union comes as international pressure mounts over Israel’s war crimes, use of illegal weapons and violations of the Genocide Convention.
Canada:
- Hundreds of indigenous and rank-and-file organisers shut down four arms factories selling to Israel - Hundreds of workers & community members shut down L3Harris in plants in Hamilton, Toronto & Montreal, and Lockheed Martin in Ottawa https://x.com/palestinelabour/status/1722988783375700396?s=46
- Activists & allies blocked entrances to GeoSpectrum in Dartmouth N. GeoSpectrum is a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, a leading supplier of weapons to Israel. https://x.com/palestinelabour/status/1722634676911603789?s=46 / https://x.com/palestinelabour/status/1722634676911603789?s=46
- Actions also targeted ZIM shipping offices in Vancouver, and Boeing in Winnipeg.
UK:
- Over 400 trade unionists blocked the entry to the BAE System’s factory in Rochester, UK. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-67378052.amp
- A 1000 people protest outside the Department of Health and Social Care, uk, calling for an end to the occupation & arms train with Israel and an immediate ceasefire. https://x.com/clarehymer/status/1722685302941139167?s=46
- Activists hang a banner at Scottish parliament saying: Stop Arming Israel https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-67367577.amp
Italy:
- Dockworkers at Genoa port blocked the entry to the port and protested at ZIM offices.https://contropiano.org/news/politica-news/2023/11/10/genova-porto-bloccato-contro-lattracco-di-una-nave-israeliana-0166217
- https://www.instagram.com/p/CzdEWYAtxzO/?igshid=azlmYTJyN2x6a3Vl
Australia:
- Trade unionists block the loading of a ZIM shipment in Narrm/Melbourne https://www.instagram.com/reel/Czbly4xuJTc/?igshid=MTN5ZjJ4cWQwNWR0bA==
- Workers took action to disrupt Israeli ZIM shipping at the port in Sydney, including the use of jetskis: https://twitter.com/packetofchips/status/1723196446881841507?s=46&t=1XCSUq1Ga1Wqklu7mX1B9Q
USA
- Trade unionists and activists protest at Raytheon offices in Goleta, california.https://x.com/marcywinograd/status/1722741188170854791?s=46
- Trade unionists & protesters have shut down Colt's arms manufacturing plant in West Hartford, CT for their role in supplying weapons to Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. https://x.com/connecticutdsa/status/1722594520888397874?s=46
Spain:
- Airbus workers, Getafe, Spain, conducted an in-factory march carrying a banner which said “Airbus workers stand in solidarity with Palestine, no to arms sales to Israel.” https://x.com/cgtzonasur/status/1722210731091992604?s=46
- Trade unionists and activists protested outside Israel Chemical Limited (ICL) mine. ICL provides Monsanto (now Bayer) with phosphates for the production of the white phosphorus chemical provided to Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) for filling. https://x.com/proucomplicitat/status/1722727173558050855?s=46
- Trade unions representing all the workers at the Barcelona port join the Palestinian trade unions’ call declaring they will not transport weapons to Israel & call for an immediate ceasefire. https://x.com/ustp_portdebcn/status/1722575572981739845?s=46
In response to the Days of Action, Kayed Awad, secretary-general of the Palestinian Transport Workers Union stated: “We salute dockworkers in Barcelona, Genoa, and transport workers in Belgium for their refusal to transport and handle weapons used to commit war crimes in Gaza, and call on all unions who stand for freedom and justice to do the same. Unions have the power to influence and disrupt the arms trade and ongoing war crimes in Gaza. Long live the working class”.
“Palestinian workers have been on the front lines in Gaza, saving lives and rescuing communities amidst relentless bombardment and ongoing Israeli war crimes. As we continue to carry out our duties, we extend our heartfelt salute to those who are taking action and working tirelessly to halt the arms trade with Israel.” said Samira A.A. Hasanain, member of the General Union of Public Service Workers and Trade - Gaza (GUPSWT) and board member of the General Union of Palestinian Women (GUPW).
"Palestinian unions thank all those participating in the November 9-10 days of action to end the arms trade with Israel. Every group blocking an arms factory or picketing an arms shipment – are taking a vital step to save lives.” said Nadia Habash, Chairwoman of the Engineering Association in Palestine.
“We do this not just as an act of solidarity with Palestinian people here at home and abroad, but to stand against settler-colonialism more broadly and act in solidarity with indigenous people across Turtle Island.” Said a picketer at L3Harris Waterdown, Canada.
For more information on actions or media inquiries, please follow our social media updates and website, or contact:
Workers in Palestine
Twitter: twitter.com/WorkersinPales1
Instagram: www.instagram.com/workersinpalestine/
Days of Action Roundup
Trade Unions across Six Countries disrupt Arms Trade with Israel
On November 9 and 10, weapons factories and shipments were disrupted across 6 countries as part of an international days of action against arms exports to Israel initiated by Palestinian trade unions.
Blockades led by trade union members at factories and ports across eighteen sites in Canada, the USA, Italy, UK, Spain and Australia highlighted the urgent need to stop the flow of arms that perpetuate Israel’s war crimes.
The days of action initiated by the Workers in Palestine coalition of trade union comes as international pressure mounts over Israel’s war crimes, use of illegal weapons and violations of the Genocide Convention.
Canada:
- Hundreds of indigenous and rank-and-file organisers shut down four arms factories selling to Israel - Hundreds of workers & community members shut down L3Harris in plants in Hamilton, Toronto & Montreal, and Lockheed Martin in Ottawa https://x.com/palestinelabour/status/1722988783375700396?s=46
- Activists & allies blocked entrances to GeoSpectrum in Dartmouth N. GeoSpectrum is a subsidiary of Elbit Systems, a leading supplier of weapons to Israel. https://x.com/palestinelabour/status/1722634676911603789?s=46 / https://x.com/palestinelabour/status/1722634676911603789?s=46
- Actions also targeted ZIM shipping offices in Vancouver, and Boeing in Winnipeg.
UK:
- Over 400 trade unionists blocked the entry to the BAE System’s factory in Rochester, UK. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-67378052.amp
- A 1000 people protest outside the Department of Health and Social Care, uk, calling for an end to the occupation & arms train with Israel and an immediate ceasefire. https://x.com/clarehymer/status/1722685302941139167?s=46
- Activists hang a banner at Scottish parliament saying: Stop Arming Israel https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-67367577.amp
Italy:
- Dockworkers at Genoa port blocked the entry to the port and protested at ZIM offices.https://contropiano.org/news/politica-news/2023/11/10/genova-porto-bloccato-contro-lattracco-di-una-nave-israeliana-0166217
- https://www.instagram.com/p/CzdEWYAtxzO/?igshid=azlmYTJyN2x6a3Vl
Australia:
- Trade unionists block the loading of a ZIM shipment in Narrm/Melbourne https://www.instagram.com/reel/Czbly4xuJTc/?igshid=MTN5ZjJ4cWQwNWR0bA==
- Workers took action to disrupt Israeli ZIM shipping at the port in Sydney, including the use of jetskis: https://twitter.com/packetofchips/status/1723196446881841507?s=46&t=1XCSUq1Ga1Wqklu7mX1B9Q
USA
- Trade unionists and activists protest at Raytheon offices in Goleta, california.https://x.com/marcywinograd/status/1722741188170854791?s=46
- Trade unionists & protesters have shut down Colt's arms manufacturing plant in West Hartford, CT for their role in supplying weapons to Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. https://x.com/connecticutdsa/status/1722594520888397874?s=46
Spain:
- Airbus workers, Getafe, Spain, conducted an in-factory march carrying a banner which said “Airbus workers stand in solidarity with Palestine, no to arms sales to Israel.” https://x.com/cgtzonasur/status/1722210731091992604?s=46
- Trade unionists and activists protested outside Israel Chemical Limited (ICL) mine. ICL provides Monsanto (now Bayer) with phosphates for the production of the white phosphorus chemical provided to Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) for filling. https://x.com/proucomplicitat/status/1722727173558050855?s=46
- Trade unions representing all the workers at the Barcelona port join the Palestinian trade unions’ call declaring they will not transport weapons to Israel & call for an immediate ceasefire. https://x.com/ustp_portdebcn/status/1722575572981739845?s=46
In response to the Days of Action, Kayed Awad, secretary-general of the Palestinian Transport Workers Union stated: “We salute dockworkers in Barcelona, Genoa, and transport workers in Belgium for their refusal to transport and handle weapons used to commit war crimes in Gaza, and call on all unions who stand for freedom and justice to do the same. Unions have the power to influence and disrupt the arms trade and ongoing war crimes in Gaza. Long live the working class”.
“Palestinian workers have been on the front lines in Gaza, saving lives and rescuing communities amidst relentless bombardment and ongoing Israeli war crimes. As we continue to carry out our duties, we extend our heartfelt salute to those who are taking action and working tirelessly to halt the arms trade with Israel.” said Samira A.A. Hasanain, member of the General Union of Public Service Workers and Trade - Gaza (GUPSWT) and board member of the General Union of Palestinian Women (GUPW).
"Palestinian unions thank all those participating in the November 9-10 days of action to end the arms trade with Israel. Every group blocking an arms factory or picketing an arms shipment – are taking a vital step to save lives.” said Nadia Habash, Chairwoman of the Engineering Association in Palestine.
“We do this not just as an act of solidarity with Palestinian people here at home and abroad, but to stand against settler-colonialism more broadly and act in solidarity with indigenous people across Turtle Island.” Said a picketer at L3Harris Waterdown, Canada.
For more information on actions or media inquiries, please follow our social media updates and website, or contact:
Workers in Palestine
Twitter: twitter.com/WorkersinPales1
Instagram: www.instagram.com/workersinpalestine/