Twenty-Two Countries Join Port Worker Solidarity for Gaza
Over 25 labor unions across 22 countries have launched strikes and protests to block the transportation of weapons and military equipment to Israel. This international movement expresses solidarity with Gaza and aims to prevent the use of ports for military supplies.
A global movement of port workers, involving over 25 labor unions representing workers in 113 seaports across 22 countries, has initiated coordinated strikes and protests. The primary objective of these actions is to oppose the ongoing aggression and to prevent the use of international ports for the shipment of weapons and military equipment to Israel. Hamas has praised this worker movement, describing it as global solidarity with the Gaza Strip, and has called for further participation from unions and labor organizations worldwide.
The collective actions include full strikes, partial work stoppages, and protest demonstrations, all demanding an end to wars and a halt to the militarization of ports. Participating unions specifically seek to block the transfer of arms, ammunition, military equipment, and troops through port facilities. Notable ports affected by these movements span Europe and the Mediterranean basin, including Piraeus in Greece, Valencia and Algeciras in Spain, Le Havre and Marseille in France, Genoa and Trieste in Italy, Tangier in Morocco, and Nava Sheva in India, demonstrating the widespread nature of the solidarity.
These labor mobilizations occur amidst continuing reports of severe casualties in the Gaza Strip. The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has officially declared its solidarity with the participating unions, affirming support for actions that advocate for Palestinian rights and oppose war and militarization. The ITF explicitly rejects the transport of military shipments through civilian ports for use in warfare and what it terms as genocide.
