The Arab Trade Union Confederation expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli occupation forces’ raid this morning on the headquarters of the General Union of Palestinian Workers – Qalqilya branch. The forces vandalized the premises and stole an estimated 50,000 shekels, in addition to checks, promissory notes, and union documents belonging to the federation and its affiliated workers.
This blatant assault—marked by breaking doors, aggressively searching offices, and treating the premises in a degrading and hostile manner—constitutes a flagrant violation of all international norms and conventions, especially those of the International Labour Organization (ILO) concerning the protection of labor institutions and the sanctity and independence of union offices. It further reflects the occupation’s ongoing policy of targeting unions, workers, and their property with the aim of weakening their national and organizational role.
The Arab Trade Union Confederation warns of the serious implications of the confiscation of checks, promissory notes, and union documents, as they contain sensitive data related to workers that could be misused or exploited to harm them. The occupation bears full responsibility for any risks or consequences that may result from this.
The Confederation affirms its full solidarity with the General Union of Palestinian Workers, its members in Qalqilya, and across all Palestinian governorates. It stresses that such practices will not deter the Palestinian trade union movement nor undermine its historic role in defending workers’ rights and dignity.
The Confederation also calls on the International Labour Organization (ILO) and all Arab and international trade union bodies to condemn this serious violation and take urgent action to protect Palestinian trade unionists and their institutions from the escalating abuses of the occupation.
The targeting of union headquarters and attempts to silence workers’ voices will not succeed in deterring the trade union movement from its struggle. The Arab Trade Union Confederation will remain a steadfast supporter and ally of Palestinian workers and their unions in the face of all forms of repression and aggression.
Arab Trade Union Confederation
