The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) stands in unwavering solidarity with its affiliates mobilising for Palestinian rights – the right to safety, decent work, freedom and dignity – against war and militarisation, and for peace and justice.
On Friday 30 October, dockworkers will engage in coordinated strikes and demonstrations at more than 100 ports across 17 countries, under the slogan “International Day of Action of Dockworkers and Port Workers against war and militarisation”.
The action confronts the movement of military cargo through civilian ports for use in war and genocide. Participating unions are also demanding better wages and working conditions, and opposing increasing automation.
“Dockworkers around the world, on this historic day, you are writing a proud chapter in the history of trade union and humanitarian solidarity with the Palestinian people and their workers,” said Shaher Saed, General Secretary of the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU).
The action comes just days after the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel found that Israel has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity – including extermination, persecution, torture, and rape and other forms of sexual violence – and continues to commit genocide in Gaza. The report, presented to the UN General Assembly on 26 October 2026, found that the ceasefire agreement has not stopped the killing: Israel has continued to commit genocidal acts in Gaza since it was agreed.
ITF affiliates taking action or expressing solidarity include ver.di in Germany, Liman-İş in Türkiye, the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) in the United States, and 3F in Denmark.
Dockworkers are making a vital contribution to the call for peace, as they always have – their unions are standing up for Palestinian rights and for ports that serve working people and their communities, and they have the full solidarity of the ITF,” said Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary.
“Our Congress was clear: governments must stop the flow of arms used to violate international humanitarian law. Governments and employers must respect the voice and rights of these workers. Protecting civilian life, upholding international law and securing a just and lasting peace must be the priority.”
This solidarity is rooted in the decisions of the ITF’s 46th Congress in Marrakech in 2024. Affiliates from around the world pledged the Federation to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, and action to stop the arms trade fuelling violations of international humanitarian law.
Ports connect communities and sustain livelihoods. ITF affiliates are using their powerful collective voice to confront the use of civilian ports to fuel war – while defending the jobs and conditions of the workers who keep them running.
Palestinian workers are our comrades, brothers and sisters. Their liberation struggle is a struggle the whole international labour movement stands behind,” said ITF President, Paddy Crumlin.
“Governments find billions for weapons while telling working people to accept insecure jobs, squeezed wages and increasing automation – dockers have every right to challenge this anti-worker agenda.
“No worker should be expected to help supply the destruction of another worker’s community. Our affiliates are putting international solidarity into practice, and the ITF stands shoulder to shoulder with them in the fight for peace and justice in Palestine. That means an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to the occupation and illegal settlements, unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, and the reconstruction of Gaza with decent work for its people.”
Saed added: “Dockworkers, your refusal to handle and transport weapons and ammunition sends a clear message that the international trade union movement will not remain silent in the face of crimes committed against civilians, and that workers’ consciences cannot be involved in transporting the instruments of killing and destruction. Genuine international solidarity must not remain confined to statements of condemnation and expressions of disapproval. It must translate into practical and tangible action.
“This act of solidarity strengthens the morale of the Palestinian people and their workers and sends a message of hope to thousands of workers who have lost their jobs and sources of income, as well as to families living under the weight of killing, siege, starvation, and forced displacement. It assures them that they are not alone, and that workers and trade unionists around the world remain committed to rejecting injustice and standing up for truth and human dignity.”
The ITF reiterates its call on governments to:
- Secure a permanent ceasefire.
- Guarantee unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza and back a reconstruction built on decent work.
- Stop all arms transfers that fuel violations of international humanitarian law.
- Respect the right of transport workers to refuse military cargo, without reprisal.
- Comply fully with the rulings of the International Court of Justice and support the International Criminal Court.
- End the occupation and illegal settlements and hold to account the companies that profit from them.
- Recognise the State of Palestine, back its full membership of the ILO, and pursue a negotiated peace based on UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 338.
- Protect all transport workers caught up in the conflict.
