Dockworkers refuse to load weapons bound for Israel amid Gaza conflict

In response to the escalating violence in Gaza, dockworkers in France took a strong stand on June 4, 2025, at the Fos-Marseille port. These workers from the CGT union refused to load military cargo destined for Israel, causing a significant shipment to leave port without its intended arms components. This action was not isolated; it resonated across Europe as similar protests emerged in Italian ports like Salerno and Scilla, where dockworkers also expressed their opposition to the ongoing conflict. The refusal to handle military goods in several locations showcases a growing solidarity among labor movements against perceived oppression and violence. The trend of dockworkers protesting military shipments relates to a long-standing history of internationalism and anti-imperialism within labor unions in Europe. Notably, dockworkers had previously coordinated actions to halt arms shipments to Saudi Arabia in 2019, reflecting a continuous commitment to social and political causes. Recently, Barcelona dockers announced their own resolution to refrain from handling any arms destined for Israel, underscoring a collective movement across various European nations against complicity in military aggression. The Swedish Dockworkers Union became a focal point of sustained labor action earlier this year when 68% of its members voted for a six-day boycott of all military cargo to and from Israel. However, this decision was met with backlash, as Erik Helgeson, a spokesperson for the union, was terminated from his position on the day of the announcement. This dismissal has been interpreted as retaliation against the union's efforts to assert their rights to political action and solidarity with the Palestinian cause. In response, Swedish dockers have continued their fight through industrial action and legal avenues to support their representatives, International solidarity was notably displayed recently as Belgian dockworkers from the ACV union in Ghent and Zeebrugge joined the cause by refusing to work with vessels associated with strike-breakers from Sweden. The backdrop of these labor actions is the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Western governments, including the U.S., continue to provide military support to Israel. These actions by dockworkers across Europe indicate a broader movement among labor groups, advocating against war and oppression while seeking to incorporate such principled stands into the fabric of union activism for the long term.