Two significant milestones in the Palestinian-led movement for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) were marked this week with a vote by the UK’s Trades Union Congress to reconsider its ties with Israel’s national trade union federation, and with the confirmation that boycott target Agrexco was ordered into liquidation. Read more about UK trade unionists put Histadrut under review; victory declared over Agrexco liquidation
The Egyptian Independent Union Federation affirmed solidarity with the Palestinian people and upheld a commitment to “reject any form of normal relations” with Israel, including gas supply agreements that have been in place since Mubarak was empowered. Read more about Independent trade unions in Egypt endorse BDS
The first ever Palestinian trade union conference for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel was held in Ramallah last week on 30 April. A historic formation was made at the conference with the establishment of the Palestinian Trade Union Coalition for BDS (PTUC-BDS) — the largest coalition of the Palestinian trade union movement. Read more about Palestinian trade union movement forms historic BDS coalition
Yesterday marked International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day and Labor Day. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights has issued two statements related to this annual commemoration. The first outlines Israel’s violations of Palestinians’ right to work, and the other condemns the Interior Ministry in Gaza’s banning of an assembly of workers to mark International Workers’ Day.
On Israel’s labor rights violations: Read more about Long struggle ahead for Palestinian workers