Vermont Labor For Palestine
We are a group of Vermont workers who stand in solidarity with Palestinians in their struggle for equality, justice, and liberation.
Who we are.
We are a group of Vermont workers who stand in solidarity with Palestinians in their struggle for equality, justice, and liberation.
We are diverse. We are young and old; of many races, genders, and sexualities; we have disabilities; we are immigrant and US born; documented and undocumented, all faiths and secular. We realize that this diversity is our greatest strength, as long as we oppose all forms of oppression and discrimination and promote justice for everyone.
We are answering the urgent call from Palestinian Trade Unions to workers of the world. With others across the globe, we are committed to using our power as workers to stop any and all countries’ support for Israel’s occupation, ethnic cleansing, genocide, and Apartheid.
We are affiliated with the Labor for Palestine National Network (L4PNN).
Six reasons Palestine is a labor issue:
Ethical. The labor movement stands for equity and justice and the wellbeing of all. Israel has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, displaced over a million people, is withholding water, food, medical care, and has destroyed hospitals, schools, places of worship, and the urban and rural environment.
Solidarity. Union members respect picket lines. Palestinian trade unions have called on international labor movements not to support Israel’s assault, to challenge our government’s support for Israel and to respect the BDS picket line.
Material interests. The US sends almost close to $8 billion of aid to Israel every year. Vermont contributes close to $6 million. We could use that money for healthcare, education, public transport and more.
Israel and the US are deeply interconnected. Israel trains US police and border guards. The US is Israel’s biggest backer globally and frequently vetoes UN resolutions that support Palestinians. This genocide couldn’t happen without American support.
An injury to one is an injury to all. Unions depend on strength in numbers and mutual support. We are all weaker when one section is weakened. The labor movement includes Palestinians and Arabs and Muslims who are undergoing harsh attacks in this country. We must defend our own members.
We are in the majority on this. Even though the American political establishment is solidly behind Israel, political activism and polls indicate that this does not reflect general public opinion, which opposes Israel’s attack on Palestinians.
Workers’ Power
Workers are the only force that has the social power to challenge US support for Israel. Through strikes, walkouts, stoppages, and blockades workers have the capacity to shut down the Israel/US military machine—whether unionized or not—as long as we are sufficiently organized. This is decisive. Organizing within our workplaces is the most tangible way we can lend support to Palestinians. At the same time, the US labor movement has much to learn from Palestinian resistance, and through solidarity will learn to fight for liberation for all.
Things you can do:
Join Vermont Labor for Palestine, which will connect you with other Palestine solidarity activists in your state.
Connect with other co-workers who care about Palestine and brainstorm ideas for your workplace. Collaborate on how to defend against attacks on free speech around this issue.
Organize an educational event at your workplace. Learn about the history of Israel and Palestine and how to challenge longstanding myths.
Form a Palestine solidarity committee or caucus in your union.
Pass a resolution or write a statement that others can sign on to. Either through the membership or leadership bodies, get your union to sign on to the Apartheid Free Communities pledge.
Once you have sufficient numbers, unity, and organizational strength, stage a work action or strike in solidarity with Palestine.