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Unifor calls on world leaders to follow recent actions taken by the governments of Canada, France and the United Kingdom placing political and economic pressure on the Israeli government to end its ongoing military offensive in Gaza, to urgently allow access to humanitarian aid blocked from entering the region for over 11 weeks.
We continue to call for the release of all remaining hostages held captive by Hamas and for a lasting ceasefire.
Following the collapse of the previous ceasefire agreement on March 18, over 3,100 Palestinians have been killed, bringing the estimated death toll to over 53,000. United Nations (U.N.) Women has estimated that 28,000 of these deaths are women and girls. With the region of Gaza already on the brink of famine, with no access to food, water and medicine, it is further estimated that 14,000 children are at risk of death if humanitarian aid is further delayed.
The U.N. Human Rights Council following and reporting on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has found that Israeli forces have intentionally subverted their protective functions to legitimize genocidal violence against the Palestinian people, and urges member states to intervene to prevent new atrocities.
Since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, Unifor has denounced the attacks by Hamas on Israelis and the disproportionate military response by the Netanyahu government.
We have joined labour unions, human rights organizations, and NGOs in calling for an immediate ceasefire to bring an end to mounting civilian casualties, including journalists, media workers, front-line humanitarian relief workers, and health care workers.
Unifor has acted to urgently support the emergency relief efforts of Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children Canada, and the International Federation of Journalists.
Over the past 18 months, we have witnessed an escalation of human rights and international law violations, including the weaponization of starvation, the deliberate targeting of schools and hospitals, and threats of Palestinian land annexation.
Communities have been devastated, and the losses faced by workers and families have been catastrophic. People want, and deserve, peace.
Unifor will continue working with its allies across Canada and around the world in calling for an end to hostilities so that the long process of healing and rebuilding can begin.
We will continue to stand in solidarity with workers and communities affected by war and will use our collective voice and power to defend and promote peace and social justice.
