“This peaceful civil society mission to deliver aid to Palestinian civilians is a humanitarian mission, a symbolic action that results from the political inaction by governments worldwide on Gaza and Palestine.” ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle
“As I said in July, this amounts to nothing less than criminal negligence.
“The participants in the flotilla felt they had no choice but to take desperate measures to help civilians in Gaza and to keep the spotlights on the disastrous humanitarian situation. The international community must act to uphold international law, end the horror in Gaza and bring sustainable peace to Palestine.”
The mission to deliver aid, such as food, medicine and baby milk formula, to civilians in Gaza included trade unionists from ITUC affiliates, in line with the international labour movement’s longstanding commitment to peace and justice.
Luc Triangle continued: “The individuals on board must be treated with dignity and released immediately. Their physical safety and fundamental rights must be guaranteed. The aid carried by the flotilla must be handed over to humanitarian agencies on the ground to be delivered safely and without hindrance into Gaza. Blocking humanitarian assistance is unacceptable.”
On the war in Gaza, the ITUC demands:
An immediate and permanent ceasefire. The release of all hostages and Palestinians held arbitrarily. Full, safe and sustained humanitarian access, and an end to the blockade of Gaza. Independent international investigations into attacks on civilians and journalists. A halt to arms transfers that may facilitate violations of international law. A credible political process, grounded in international law and UN resolutions, to end the occupation and achieve a just peace based on the two-state solution.
The ITUC stands in solidarity with all peaceful efforts to deliver aid and defend human rights in Gaza.
Some ITUC affiliates have already shared messages of solidarity and are preparing actions, including demonstrations planned in France, as well as calls for a general strike in Italy and Spain.