"Swedish Dockworkers Union gives notice of blockade of military equipment to and from Israel"

On Tuesday, January 14, the Swedish Dockworkers Union notified the employers’ organization Swedish Ports of a blockade against all military trade with Israel during the ongoing Gaza war. The blockade is a response to a request for sympathy measures from the Palestinian trade union movement and is to come into effect on January 28. The decision to blockade was taken by the Dockworkers Union members in a vote before Christmas.

– We do not want to contribute to maintaining a trade exchange with Israel that in any way facilitates or prolongs suspected war crimes or crimes against human rights. As early as October 10 last year, NGOs assessed that Gaza was the most dangerous place on earth for children, after 11,300 identified Palestinian children were killed. We feel that we simply have to do something, says union chairman Martin Berg.

Israel is currently being investigated for genocide by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its actions in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. In January, March and May 2024, the Court issued clear orders to Israel to cease the ongoing military offensive in Rafah, allow food and supplies in and allow UN personnel access to the area, which have not yet been obeyed. In July 2024, the ICJ also ordered all states to take measures to prevent trade or investment relations that contribute to maintaining the illegal situation that Israel has created in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Swedish Dockworkers Union is now working to identify which goods flows will be covered by the blockade from January 27.

– The Swedish army purchase goods worth billions from the Israeli military industry. These are companies that are deeply involved in the war effort in Gaza, continues Martin Berg.

– We intend to implement the blockade based on a precautionary principle. This does not mean any special consideration for the economic interests of Swedish companies and public institutions, but rather that if we have any doubts about whether goods on their way to or from Israel are of a civilian or military nature, we will refuse to load or unload them.