U.S. Labor Must Stand With Palestine!
Labor for Palestine, Nakba Day, May 15, 2021
As workers, labor, and anti-apartheid activists, we join millions around the world to unequivocally condemn Israel’s genocidal attacks on the Palestinian people: mass evictions in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighborhoods of Jerusalem, storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque, waves of state-sponsored violence throughout the West Bank and the ’48 areas (stolen from Palestine in 1948), and merciless bombardment of Gaza that has already killed and wounded hundreds of people, many of them children.
Recent reports by B’Tselem and Human Rights Watch only belatedly acknowledge what Palestinians have always said: this is not an “Arab-Israeli conflict,” an “Israel-Hamas war,” “communal clashes,” or a “civil war,” but rather another chapter in more than a century of Zionist settler-colonialism — as symbolized by Israel’s very establishment through the uprooting and ethnic cleansing of over 750,000 Palestinians during the 1948 Nakba (“Our Catastrophe”), whose 73rd anniversary is today, May 15, 2021.
These crimes are only possible because of $3.8 billion a year (or $10+ million *per day*) in bipartisan US military aid that gives Israel the guns, bullets, tanks, ships, jet fighters, missiles, helicopters, white phosphorus and other weapons to kill and maim the Palestinian people.
This is the same system of racist state violence that — with direct Israeli support — brutalizes BIPOC and working class people in the United States and around the world. With Israel’s knee on their neck, Palestinians can’t breathe since 1948, and we unconditionally stand with their resistance in all parts of Palestine, just as they have stood with our struggles for Black and Brown Lives, Standing Rock, migrant rights, and beyond.
We urge workers and labor bodies in the US to join the growing mass protests against apartheid Israel, and to support the Day of Action in Solidarity with the Palestinian Uprising and General Strike: Tuesday, May 18. We uplift the Italian dockworkers who refused to ship weapons to Israel on April 14, thereby answering the urgent May 13 appeal for international solidarity, signed by Palestinian trade unions, to support the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS).
BDS is inspired by the worldwide divestment campaign that helped topple apartheid South Africa, and reflects decades of Palestinian boycott and mobilization against Israeli colonization. It requires not only an end to the 1967 Israeli occupation, but an end to Israeli occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall, full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and implementation of the right of Palestinian refugees to return.
On this 73rd anniversary of Nakba Day, as Palestinians courageously resist brutal Israeli attack, we urge the labor movement to respect the BDS picket line by:
• Endorsing BDS, along with UAW 2865, the Connecticut AFL-CIO, the United Electrical Workers, IWW, and other US labor bodies, and with labor organizations around the world, who have already done so.
• Ending, once and for all, US labor officialdom’s long and shameful complicity in Zionism by divesting labor bodies from Israel Bonds, and severing all ties with Israel’s racist labor federation, the Histadrut, and its US mouthpiece, the Jewish Labor Committee.
• Mobilizing our collective power at the workplace, as demonstrated by dockers in South Africa, India, Sweden, Norway, Turkey, Italy, the ILWU on the West Coast of the United States who have refused to handle Israeli cargo, and AROC’s Block the Boat campaign against an upcoming Zim Lines arrival at the Oakland Port.
AN INJURY TO ONE IS AN INJURY TO ALL:
FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE!
________________________________
On behalf of Labor for Palestine
(organizational affiliations listed for identification only)
Suzanne Adely, Al-Awda-NY; Arab Workers Resource Center; Food Chain Workers Alliance (staff); President-Elect, National Lawyers Guild;
Monadel Herzallah, Arab American Union Members Council
Ruth Jennison, Department Rep., Massachusetts Society of Professors, MTA, NEA; Co-Chair, Labor Standing Committee Pioneer Valley DSA
Lara Kiswani, Executive Director, Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC)
Michael Letwin, Former President, Association of Legal Aid Attorneys/UAW Local 2325; Organizing Collective, USACBI: US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel; DSA Palestine Solidarity Working Group
Clarence Thomas, Co-Chair, Million Worker March; Executive Board, ILWU Local 10 (retired)
Endorsements (as of May 23, 2021)
Organizations
Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO
AFSCME 3800 – UMN Clerical Workers Union
ALAA/UAW Local 2325, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem Union, Family Defense Practice Unit
DSA AfroSocialist & Socialists of Color Caucus
DSA Palestine Solidarity Working Group
Black Attorneys of Legal Aid (BALA) Caucus, ALAA/UAW 2325
Attorneys of Color of Legal Aid (ACLA) Caucus, ALAA/UAW 2325
LGBTQ+ Caucus, ALAA/UAW 2325
CUNY Adjunct Project
Labor Against Racist Terror
Jews for Palestinian Right of Return
CAIR-NJ
Central Jersey DSA
NYC DSA Labor Branch
Individuals (list in formation; organizational affiliations listed for identification only)
- Daniel Ashworth, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Ellyn Kessler, ALAA/UAW 2325
- David Klein, California Faculty Association (CFA)
- Steve Brier, PSC-CUNY, AFT Local 2334; School of Labor & Urban Studies, CUNY
- Susan Morris, Former Executive Board Member, ALAA/UAW 2325 (Retired)
- Lisa Edwards, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Jamila Hammami, Steward, Co-Organizer for Labor & External Relations, CUNY Graduate Center PhD Social Welfare Program, PSC-CUNY
- Ryan Kelly, National Writers Union
- Nora Carroll, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Lauren Restivo, Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Michael Shannon, ALAA/UAW 2325
- David Sole, Past President, UAW 2334 (Retired)
- Erin Tomlinson, ALAA/UAW 2325
- John King, UAW-ACT 7902
- Dennis Gallie, UAW 249 (Retired)
- Goetz Wolff, Board Member, UC-AFT 1474 (UCLA); LA County AFL-CIO
- Ed Kinchley, Delegate, SF Committee on Political Education (COPE), SEIU 1021; Delegate, SF Labor Council
- Win Heimer, A&R, AFT 4200R
- Azalia Torres, Former Executive Board Member, ALAA/UAW 2325 (Retired)
- Eli Nadeau, SENS UAW 7902
- Susan Stout, Unifor 2002 (Retired)
- David Walsh, NALC 214; Delegate, SF Labor Council
- Dan Kaplan, Executive Secretary (retired), AFT 1493
- Dave King, Co-Chair, Climate Jobs PDX
- Lauren S. King, Climate Jobs PDX; Portland Jobs with Justice
- David Clennon, Convention Delegate, Screen Actors Guild-AFTRA
- Judith Ackerman, AFT and 1199SEIU
- Amy Muldoon, CWA 1106
- Val Sanfilippo, Retired Steward, SEIU 221
- Francis Cook, UFT, AFT Local 2; MORE Caucus (Movement of Rank and File Educators in the UFT)
- Hayat Bearat, Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Milad Momeni, CLSWU
- David Laibman, PSC-CUNY (retiree chapter)
- Mike Gimbel, AFSCME 375, Retired Executive Board member
- Elizabeth-Ann Tierney, Alternate Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Ayami Hatanaka, ALAA/UAW 2325
- David McKeown, IBEW Local 6 (retired)
- Greg Giorgio, Delegate and Secretary, IWW Upstate NY Regional
- Carol Elaine Gay, President, NJ State Industrial Union Council; CWA retiree
- Alexander Hu, Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- David Letwin, Executive Board Member, Rutgers AAUP-AFT Local 6324
- Alexandra Smith, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Joshua Strassman, Steward, Amherst Pelham Education Association, Massachusetts Teachers Association
- Aaron Goodwin, UAW 2865
- Diana Dooley, IBEW Local 6
- Gabriel Camacho, Political Director, UFCW Local 1445; LCLAA member at large
- Ron Jacobs, Steward, AFSCME 1343
- Naomi Sharlin, UFT, AFT Local 2
- Nicole Camera, UFT, AFT Local 2; MORE Caucus (Movement of Rank and File Educators in the UFT)
- Mark D. Stansbery, Board Member and Chair of Organizing and Mobilization, CWA 4502; Ohio AFL-CIO and Central Ohio Labor Council
- Jane Rubio, UFT, AFT Local 2
- Joan Hwang, Organizer, Workers Assembly Against Racism
- Rebekah McAlister UFT, AFT Local 2
- Jennifer Kovacs, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Hollis Higgins, NALC Branch 442 (retired)
- Leah Martin, Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Danielle Bullock, UFT, AFT Local 2; MORE Caucus (Movement of Rank and File Educators in the UFT)
- Brian Lewis, Steward and Delegate, AFSCME DC37, Local 375; DC37 Progressives; NYC-DSA Labor Branch
- Malcolm Sacks, UFT, AFT Local 2; MORE Caucus (Movement of Rank and File Educators in the UFT)
- Aisha Lewis-McCoy, Alternate Representative, LGBTQ Caucus, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Sara Catalinotto, Retired Delegate, UFT, AFT Local 2; Labor Against Racist Terror
- Susan Moir, Massachusetts Teachers Association (retired)
- Leah Margulies, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Monica Shah, Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Andrea Alajbegovic, LSSA/UAW 2320
- Lucy Herschel, Delegate, 1199SEIU, UHWE
- Calypso Taylor, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Alex Jallot, Delegate, Pace High School, UFT, AFT Local 2
- Yessenia Mendez, LSSA/UAW 2320
- Ian Spiridigliozzi, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Hoda Mitwally, Delegate, LSSA/UAW 2320
- Royce Adams, International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1291; CBTU/APRI
- Josh Komarovsky, LSSA/UAW 2320
- Will Chaney, GEO/UAW 2322 UMASS-Amherst
- Robert F. Williams, GEO/UAW 2322 MSCA Westfield State University
- Erik Mears, UFT/AFT Local 2
- Cherrene Horazuk, President, AFSCME 3800 – UMN Clerical Workers Union
- Annie Zirin, CTU/AFT Local 1
- Meaghan Whyte, Delegate, LSSA/UAW 2320
- Hector Agredano, Pasadena City College Faculty Association
- David McNally, Texas State Employees Union/CWA Local 6186
- Jessie Muldoon, Site Rep., Portland Education Association
- Brenda Stokely, Social Service Employees Union local 371 DC 37 AFSCME, AFL-CIO; Million Workers Movement NE Region co-organizer
- Camila Valle, UAW 2110
- Alejandro Coriat, NOLSW 2320; Legal Workers’ Rank and File
- Vish Soroushian, NOLSW/UAW 2320
- Hector Agredano, Pasadena City College Faculty Association
- Ramzi Babouder-Matta, Steward, CWA 1180; Labor Against Racism and War
- Sarah Soliman, Worker Advocate, Worker Justice Wisconsin
- Elly Wong, Steward, NPEU (IPFTE Local 70)
- Naib Mian, Unit Council, Bargaining Committee, New Yorker Union, News Guild NY Local 31003, CWA
- Lucas Koerner, Harvard Graduate Students Union – UAW 5118
- Martha Grevatt, Retired Executive Board Member, UAW 869
- Dianne Mathiowetz, UAW 10 (retired); Producer and Host, The Labor Forum, WRFG 89.3FM
- Stephen Terry, ALAA/UAW 2325 (retired)
- Gabriella Ferrara, Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Patricia Lavelle, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Spencer Eliot Smith, Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Meghna Philip, Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Kevin Duffy-Greaves, LSSA/UAW 2320
- Amanda Lipari, Civil Vice President, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Lindsay Cowen, Delegate, LSSA/UAW 2320
- Karen Sullivan, PSC-CUNY
- Mimi Rosenberg, ALAA/UAW 2325; Producer and Host, WBAI radio, 99.5 FM’s labor program Building Bridges
- Benjamin Bisaro, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Andrew Smith, Shop Steward, AFSCME, DC 37, Local 1503
- Shayan Mirzahaidar, Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Basir Mchawi, PSC-CUNY/AFT
- Emily Woo Yamasaki, LSSA/UAW 2320
- Susan Williams, MD, Former Delegate, Doctors Council, SEIU Local 10MD (retired)
- Hoang Gia Phan, Massachusetts Society of Professors (MSP-UMass Amherst)
- Michael Novick, former steward and member, house of reps, former member of Human Rights Committee, United Teachers Los Angeles (joint NEA-CTA/AFT-CFT)
- Robin Strauss, PSC-CUNY/AFT
- Maria Amor, UAW 2320
- Estee Ward, Make the Road New York – NOLSW/UAW 2320
- Noha Arafa, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Terry Fitzgibbons, Building Rep., NJEA/Education Association of Passaic
- Sherry J. Wolf, CWA 1032
- Damon Fillman, Steward, CWA 1032; Rutgers AAUP-AFT
- Alan Maass, CWA 1032
- BJ Walker, CWA Local 1032
- Lauren Tomkinson, CWA Local 7799
- Alexandra Haridopolos, Delegate, UFT/AFT Local 2
- Marty Goodman, Former TWU Local 100 Executive Board (1997-2006)(retired)
- Caryn Schreiber, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Emma Goodman, Vice President, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Ray Siqueiros, AFT Local 8002
- Stephane Barile, Site Rep., New Haven Teachers Association, CTA
- Nora Christiani, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Gregory Butterfield, NOLSW/UAW 2320
- Kathleen Shannon, Staff Organizer, Rutgers AAUP-AFT Local 6323; CWA local 1032
- Marie E. Kelly, At Large Member, National Nurses United
- Katherine Fitzer, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Pooja Patel, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Daniella Korotzer, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Angelica Barrios, 1199SEIU (Forensic Social Worker)
- Lauren Katzman, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Gloria Banasco, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Maureen Stutzman, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Omar Alam Rana, Alternate Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Monica Bustos, 1199SEIU
- Matt Caldwell, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Michael Gibbons, Representative, LGBTQ+ Caucus, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Mirna Haidar, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Kip Bastedo, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Jonathan McCoy, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Joe Piette, NALC Branch 157
- Naila Siddiqui, Vice President, ALAA/UAW2325
- Hannah Deegan, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Mallory Harwood, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Titus Mathai, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Michael Pate, Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Rebecca Kurti, 1199/SEIU
- Kar Nowakowski, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Keith Malonis, 1199/SEIU
- Katharine Kuhl, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Angie Rodriguez, 1199/SEIU
- Mik Kinkead, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Sophie Cohen, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Neil Friedman, PSC-CUNY Retired Chapter
- Jordan Manalastas, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Leon Pulsinelle, NJEA
- Brianda Guzman, 1199/SEIU
- Larry Hales, 1199/SEIU
- Aissatou Barry, Delegate, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Benjamin Jarvis, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1520
- Elena Landriscina, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Susan Kingsland, 1199/SEIU
- Alex Washington, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Grover Francis, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Taylor James, Former Executive Board Member, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Haley Pessin, Interim Delegate, 1199/SEIU; Legal Workers Rank and File
- Tarini Arogyaswamy, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Ferdinand Cesarano, 1199/SEIU
- Lori Masco, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Patrick Matutina, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Kathleen Wahl, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Hilary Dowling, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Raissa Carpenter, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Khouloud Ballout, 1199/SEIU
- Laurie Dick, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Samantha Plummer, UAW 4100; Central Brooklyn DSA
- Hannah Hussey, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Stephanie Hedgecoke, Recording Secretary, CWA 14156
- Bill Riggin, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Ivan Pantoja, Former Executive Board Member, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Marlen S. Bodden, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Candace Graff, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Jeff Schuhrke, Representative, UIC United Faculty, AFT Local 6456
- Norman Koerner, Alliance of Charter School Employees, AFT
- Whitney Powers, Steering Committee Member, CWA 7799
- Alex Wolf-Root, President, CWA 7799
- Bri Dobson, CWA 7799
- Hypatia Ostojic, Systemwide Chair, Peace and Justice Committee, UPTE CWA 9119
- Patrick Langhenry, ALAA/UAW 2325
- James Lauderdale, Lead Senior Civil Service Advocate (retired), SEIU Local 721
- Amanda Achin, Classified Staff Union, Massachusetts Teachers Association; Boston DSA Labor Working Group
- Darrin Hoop, Building Rep., Seattle Education Association; National Educators United
- Richard Blum, ALAA/UAW 2325
- Catherine Khella, Organizing Committee, NYC DSA Labor Branch
- David Guerrero, Delegate, 1199SEIU
- Asa Mendelsohn, UC-AFT 3299
- Helen Scott, Department Rep., United Academics: AAUP/AFT Local 3203; VT AFL-CIO State Labor Council
- Nancy Welch, UVM United Academics AAUP/AFT, Local 3203; Upper Valley Democratic Socialists of America
- Liz Medina, Executive Director, Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; UAW 2322
- Ron Jacobs, President, AFSCME 1343
- Heidi Fox, Vermont State Employees Association
- John Davy, Vermont State Employees Association
- Shannon Dufour-Martinez, AFSCME 1674
- Kit Andrews, Vermont State Employees Association
- Stephanie Higgins, union staff, GEO-UAW 2322
- Stanley Heller, AFT 1547, retired; Middle East Crisis Committee (Connecticut)
- Susan Klein, Unite HERE Local 34, Yale Unions Retirees Association
- Frank Panzarella, Former President, IAM Local 1990; New Haven Energy Task Force / Fight the Hike
- Martha London, Professional Staff Union/Massachusetts Teachers Association (Retired)
- Dylan Kupsh, UAW 2865; NSJP, UCSB SJP, UCLA Grad SJP
- Marsha Love, United Association of Labor Educators
