In a video released on 1 May 2021, French trade unionists associated with the CGT, France’s largest labor federation, in the Haute-Garonne region of France, issued a call for boycott of the Histadrut. The video statement responded to Palestinian labor activists’ calls to boycott the Israeli trade union federation, known since its inception as a pillar of the Zionist project and directly implicated in the colonization of Palestine and the dispossession, expulsion and colonization of Palestinian people and Palestinian land.
The video was issued by Collectif Palestine Vaincra, based in Toulouse, France. The Collectif is a member organization of the Samidoun Network. Below is the video, with English subtitles — the text of the call in English is published below the video.
Labor action for Palestine, including the boycott of the Histadrut and of Israeli bonds, is one clear way for organized workers around the world to stand together with Palestinian workers in a collective struggle for liberation that confronts settler colonialism, Zionism, apartheid, capitalism, exploitation and oppression in all forms.
On 1 May 2021, the International Day of Workers’ Struggle, we join in the call of Palestinian trade unions and labor movements to cut relations with and boycott the Israeli so-called trade union federation, the Histadrut.
In line with the values of solidarity and fellowship upheld by the CGT, we call for an end to all relations with this openly colonialist and racist organization.
Since its inception, the Histadrut has played an active role in the colonization of Palestine. It has consistently enacted segregationist and racist policies.
For example, it refused to integrate Arab workers until the 1960s, purchased land for Israeli colonial settlers, and expelled Jewish Communists from its ranks.
Today, the Histadrut is a pillar of the Israeli regime and continues to impose policies that discriminate against Palestinians.
We, CGT trade unionists in Haute-Garonne, call for a boycott of the Histadrut and to support the struggle of Palestinians against colonialism, racism and apartheid.
Boycott the Histadrut! Palestine lives, Palestine will be victorious!
