What can a global strike of dockworkers achieve for Gaza? | Explainer News
Dockworkers Worldwide Plan Historic Strike Against Military Support for Israel
Dock and port workers, supported by strong labor unions, have initiated a global strike to protest military shipments to Israel amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. The International Day of Action for Dockworkers and Port Workers, set for Friday, is expected to involve more than 110 ports and 25 trade unions across 22 countries and five continents.
Markos Bekris, leader of the dockworkers’ union ENEDEP at the Port of Piraeus in Athens, emphasized the significance of workers in the supply chain. “Weapons need transport, infrastructure, and workers’ hands to reach their destination,” Bekris said in an interview. “That is where our power lies.”
The protest, titled “Dockworkers Do Not Work for War,” aims to bring attention to what organizers describe as a “genocidal” conflict in Gaza. Union leaders expressed a unified call for an immediate end to violence against the Palestinian people and other military actions perceived as imperialist.
Mohammed al-Attar, a dockworker who resides in Hamburg after leaving Gaza in 2015, shared his perspective on the strike’s potential impact. “We can save thousands of lives if we stop working just for two days,” he said. Al-Attar expressed hopes for a strong turnout but expressed disappointment with the silence of his German trade union, Ver.di, regarding the situation in Gaza.
The origins of the International Day of Action date back to early 2025, when dockworkers from the Mediterranean convened to collectively address the issues of privatization and the ongoing conflict in Palestine. The initial meetings, held in Athens, Genoa, and Istanbul, culminated in the Istanbul Declaration, which officially designated October 30 as the day of action.
The unions demand recognition for an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders and an end to U.S. and Israeli military aggression in the Middle East. Francesco Staccioli, national secretary of transport and ports for Italy’s USB trade union, remarked on the cooperative spirit among unions, stating, “Every union will do what they choose, but be connected to the same principles and struggle.”
The strike will primarily take place during regular working hours; however, 24-hour strikes have been scheduled in several countries, including France, Italy, India, Greece, and Turkey. In Morocco, Cyprus, and additional locations, shorter strikes of up to two hours have been planned. Organizers have also reached out to workers and unions in other sectors to amplify the call to action.
No Harbour for Genocide (NHG), a collective focused on researching military supply chains, supports the strike and highlights the role of maritime infrastructure in facilitating military trade related to the conflict. Their recent tracking identified multiple ports involved in weapon shipments to Israel, including Genoa and Piraeus, and noted that over $2 billion in cargo could potentially be idle due to the strike.
Linda Maggiore, an Italian journalist and activist, pointed to the increasing volume of arms shipments from Italy to Israel since the outbreak of hostilities. She warned of impending European regulations that could further facilitate unregulated arms transfers.
While some workers express solidarity with the strike, others face legal repercussions. Bekris, for instance, is facing prosecution for a previous protest that blocked shipments of ammunition to Israel.
As the global strike approaches, labor leaders and participants remain resolute in their commitment to take a stand against militarism and support for wartime actions perceived as unjust.
