A few lines (with more to follow later) on the return of a delegation from the Solidaires union to the West Bank

The situation in the West Bank is catastrophic for workers and, more generally, for all Palestinians, who are facing an unprecedented intensification of the occupation, colonisation, the Israeli apartheid system and neoliberal policies, with significant consequences for the world of work.

The unemployment rate has skyrocketed since 7 October, wages are no longer always paid or are being cut, working conditions have deteriorated significantly, and workers are risking their lives to cross the wall. All of this is leading to unprecedented levels of poverty.  

It is very difficult to move around the territory, the Israeli army is everywhere, and there are constant checks.

Our comrades speak of a silent genocide, of total suffocation.

In this context, trade unions, in addition to their usual role in relation to employers, have a very important role to play in organising material solidarity in the camps and towns, in particular by providing food baskets and basic necessities.

Many thanks to the Solidaires union for coming (almost no one goes to the West Bank anymore), many requests to share what we saw and heard upon our return, requests to strengthen our union ties and, of course, to amplify the BDS campaign. It was also an opportunity to (re)establish contact with various trade union and community organisations, on behalf of Solidaires and the International Labour Network of Solidarity and Struggles.

It was a very trying and intense delegation (but nothing compared to what the people there are going through), but above all it was very important and compels us as trade unionists to continue to take action.