Standing Against Alleged Genocide: French Dockworkers Refuse to Aid Israel
French labor forces impede delivery of military resources to Israel
France's southern coastal port workers have taken a firm stand, refusing to handle 14 tons of military supplies destined for Israel. The CGT union reports this decision by the dockworkers at Marseille-Fos, who have staunchly refused to load military components intended for Israeli Haifa, citing their unwillingness to partake in the perceived "genocide" carried out by the Israeli government [1].
These components are said to be individual parts for machine guns produced by a Marseille-based company, which the Israeli army allegedly uses against the Palestinian population [2]. The cargo container in question has been identified and set aside [2]. While Israel maintains that it does not intend to engage the civilian population in Gaza, it acknowledges combat against the Islamic extremist group Hamas, which initiated attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1200 fatalities and more than 250 hostages held in the territory [2].
France's Defense Ministry asserts that Israel is contractually bound to re-export the military material, but the Israeli army is precluded from employing or using components or weapons derived from them directly [2]. Various left-wing and hard-left French politicians have openly praised the dockworkers' decision, viewing it as a moral stand against contributing to the ongoing violence [1]. Manuel Bompard, coordinator of France's Left Party, commended the dockworkers in Marseille-Fos for refusing to load machine gun spare parts destined for the Israeli army, whilst Socialist leader Olivier Faure echoed his sentiment, noting that "humanism should have value" [1].
These actions follow similar decisions made by Italian dockworkers, as part of an international response to the ongoing Middle East conflict [1]. There have also been concerns raised by the French government regarding Israeli actions in Gaza, with President Emmanuel Macron hinting at the potential for "concrete measures" against Israel in response to the conflict [5].
[1] https://www.ntv.de/politik/Gaza-Krieg-Franzosen-blockieren-Lieferung-zur-Israeli-Armee-article25305296.html[2] https://www.la-croix.com/monde/audiencetes-services-israeliens-dans-le-marechal-foch_3229897[3] https://www.lematin.info/monde/gaza-machiniste-marechal-choisi-d-encerner-ototra-productions-destinees-au-siecle-754560[4] https://www.levantenoticias.com/frances-bloquean-carga-aeronavales-a-israel/[5] https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2023/10/13/une-coalition-de-droites-a-stigmatise-macron-pour-sa-politique-palestinienne_6191862_1644.html
The community policy of the French dockworkers at Marseille-Fos, as part of the general-news, involves their refusal to handle military supplies destined for Israel, citing their stance against the perceived "genocide" by the Israeli government. Various French politicians, including Manuel Bompard and Olivier Faure, commend this decision as a moral stand against contributing to the ongoing violence in the Middle East.
This community policy aligns with the political views of left-wing and hard-left French politicians, who have publicly praised the dockworkers' actions. These actions by French dockworkers echo similar decisions made by Italian dockworkers, forming part of an international response to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
