Comrades, 

Across Palestine, workers, families, and entire communities are enduring the unbearable. Homes reduced to rubble. Hospitals under siege. Children facing extreme hunger and violence. And yet, amid all this, Palestinian people and trade unionists continue to persevere and call on us, fellow workers, to act. 

They are asking us not for sympathy, but for solidarity. Real, tangible action that uses our collective power to challenge injustice, hold governments and corporations to account, and stand on the side of freedom, justice and dignity. 

As trade unionists, we have always known that our struggles are bound together. An injury to one is an injury to all. Now, more than ever, we must let that principle guide us.  

Join us at Fórsa on Saturday, November 22nd, for a day of action, learning, and solidarity. 

Register here: Fórsa Palestine solidarity seminar - November 22nd - 10.30 - 15.00 – Fill out form.

Fórsa is hosting a seminar on actions of economic solidarity with Palestine - a day to build our skills, deepen our knowledge and understanding, and strengthen our movement for solidarity.

This seminar builds on motions adopted at our 2024 national conference calling for decisive action on economic engagement with Israel and the Occupied Territories. Together, we’ll explore how we can use our collective power to challenge Irish complicity, promote equality, and stand in true solidarity with Palestinian workers and communities. 

On the day, we’ll be hearing from: 

• Makan: an organisation providing transformative education to strengthen the movement for Palestinian liberation. 
• Workers in Palestine: An organisation representing over 30 Palestinian trade unions and professional associations, united in their call to end all complicity and stop arming Israel amid the unfolding genocide in Gaza, and 
• Irish activists who have stood on the frontlines of solidarity.  

This event is open to all Fórsa activists, whether you’ve long been involved, are just beginning to take action, or just want to learn more about Palestinian solidarity in practice. Come ready to share ideas, learn, and plan real, meaningful steps of solidarity with Palestine that you can implement in your workplaces and communities. 

Important note: arrangements regarding travel and subsistence are a matter for branches. If you require T&S to travel you must secure approval from your branch to attend.  

Then, on Friday, November 28th – you can also take action in your workplaces.  

In response to the Irish Congress of Tade Unions’ (ICTU) call, Fórsa members will be participating in a coordinated workplace action demanding an end to government and corporate complicity in Israel’s ongoing atrocities, and to show trade union solidarity with the people and workers of Palestine. We’re asking you and your colleagues to take part in simple but powerful workplace actions at lunchtime. These will be voluntary, off-site actions during lunch or break time.

Together, we’ll demand that the Irish Government implement the Occupied Territories Bill (including services) and end Ireland’s complicity in Israel’s violations of international law.  

Some suggested actions for branches on the day include: 

• Workplace walkouts during rest breaks or lunchtime  
• Workplace photos with banners and signs in solidarity  
• Lunch and learn solidarity sessions 
• Contacting TDs and Senators to demand full implementation of the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB), including the provision of services  
• Signing and sharing a petition in support of the full enactment of the OTB 
• Awareness raising briefings focused on the BDS list and actors involved in it.  

If you or your branch will be taking part in the November 28th Day of Action, and have any questions or would like to share the activities planned, please get in touch with campaigns@forsa.ie  

These actions are all part of the union’s ongoing commitment, affirmed through consecutive conference motions, to ensure that Fórsa plays a leading role in the movement for Palestinian freedom and justice. 

Now is the time to stand up, speak out, and act together. 

At this moment of deep injustice, when the Palestinian people face the ongoing horrors of occupation and genocide, our voices and our actions matter more than ever. As trade unionists, we truly understand the power of collective action. 

Join us on November 22nd and 28th to build your power of trade union solidarity with Palestine. 

In solidarity,  

Fórsa Campaigns Team.