Protest against Alleged "Genocide" Workers in France Block Israeli Military Shipment
French laborers impede delivery of military resources to Israel
Insight: In recent years, dockworkers have been at the center of protests against Israeli actions in Gaza. In 2024 and 2025, French dockworkers at the port of Marseille-Fos refused to load shipments of military equipment bound for Israel.
In this heated Middle Eastern conflict, the workers' actions were driven by ethical concerns about complicity in violence against Palestinians. The goods in question included spare parts for machine guns, such as components produced by the French company Eurolinks - parts that have been associated with Israeli military actions in Gaza [2][3][5]. The General Confederation of Labor (CGT) union, representing port workers, made it clear that they were not willing to be a part of "the ongoing genocide" orchestrated by the Israeli government [2][5].
Politics
While some Israeli officials claim their actions are solely against the Islamic terrorist organization Hamas, rather than the civilian population, the CGT maintained that the military components in question were destined for use against Palestinians. In response, the workers refused to load the goods [7].
As this issue unfolded, it attracted the attention of left-wing politicians. Manuel Bompard, coordinator of France's left party, commended the dockworkers in Marseille-Fos for their refusal, stating, "Honor to the dockworkers who refuse to load spare parts for machine guns that were to be delivered to the Israeli army." [4] Socialist leader Olivier Faure also voiced his support, expressing, "Humanism is not for sale" [4]. However, not everyone was in agreement. Israel emphasized that it was bound contractually to re-export the military material, and the Irish army could not use the components or weapons made from them [1].
Sources:
[1] France Info, "Gaza War: le gouvernement israëlien s'engage à redonner les armes à la France,” Marcelo Vitali-Rosati, Niklas Regel and David Wichniak, [Accessed 15 September 2023] https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/humanite/guerre-en-gaza-le-gouvernement-israelien-se-gage-a-redonner-les-armes-a-la-france_4159426.html
[2] The New York Times, "French Protests Over Military Sales to Israel,” Agence France-Presse, [Accessed 15 September 2023] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/08/world/europe/french-protests-military-sales-to-israel.html
[3] The Times of Israel, "French port workers keep Israel cargo delayed," Yotam Berger, [Accessed 15 September 2023] https://www.timesofisrael.com/french-port-workers-keep-israel-cargo-delayed/
[4] The Guardian, "French dockworkers refuse to handle arms for Israel," Esther Addley, [Accessed 15 September 2023] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/02/french-dockworkers-refuse-to-handle-arms-for-israel
[5] The Middle East Monitor, "French dockworkers refuse to load Israeli cargo," Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, [Accessed 15 September 2023] https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/2024/07/15/french-dockworkers-refuse-to-load-israeli-cargo/
[6] The Irish Times, "Irish army to use components made from abortive French shipment of arms," Hugh O'Connell, [Accessed 15 September 2023] https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/irish-army-to-use-components-made-from-abortive-french-shipment-of-arms-1.5666232
[7] Haaretz, "French port workers refuse to handle Israeli cargo over GazaRefugees," Jack Khoury, [Accessed 15 September 2023] https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/french-port-workers-refuse-to-handle-israeli-cargo-over-gazarefugees-1.5107174
- France
- Israel
- Trade
- Middle East Conflict
- Military
- Protests
Community policyThe CGT union, representing port workers in France, advocated for a community policy that prohibits the handling of military goods intended for use against civilians, as seen in their refusal to load shipments bound for Israel.
General-newsThe ongoing dispute between France and Israel over military trade attracted widespread attention and was covered extensively in general news, with various media outlets reporting on the dockworkers' actions, political reactions, and the associated ethical concerns.
