Piraeus, Greece — In a powerful act of international solidarity, five major unions representing port workers at Greece’s largest port have issued a joint statement condemning the Israeli assault on Gaza and pledging to take no part in the transport of military equipment destined for Israel.

The statement, signed by the Federation of Greek Port Employees, the Union of Technical-Operator Employees, the Union of Permanent Employees, the Union of Dockworkers, and the Association of Supervisors and Foremen at Piraeus Port, was released on July 9th, 2025, as the war on Gaza surpasses 21 brutal months. The unions describe Israel’s actions in Gaza as a “genocide” and accuse the Israeli state of using hunger as a weapon of war, destroying civilian infrastructure, and carrying out ethnic cleansing with impunity.

Their action aligns with a broader wave of resistance. Countries like Spain, Slovenia, and Malta have already taken steps to halt arms transfers to Israel. Massive demonstrations across Europe and beyond have demanded a ceasefire and recognition of Palestinian statehood.

The Piraeus port workers are not alone—but they are among the first to act with such determination and clarity. Their refusal to be complicit in genocide and war crimes sets a powerful example for port and transport workers worldwide.

Send messages of solidarity to the Piraeus port workers:

• omyle@olp.gr
• etxy-olp@olp.gr
• emy-olp@olp.gr
• dockers@otenet.gr
• arx-epoptes@olp.gr

Or email action@menasolidaritynetwork.net and we will pass on the message.

Let them know they are not alone—and that workers around the world stand with them.

Read or download the full statement:

Federation of Greek Ports Officials– OMYLE

Union of Technicians and Crane Operators of PPA

Union of Officials of PPA

Dockworkers’ Union of PPA

Union of Supervisors and Foremen of PPA

Piraeus, 9.7.25 

Solidarity with the Palestinian People

No participation-no tolerance in the genocide of the Palestinians

For more than one and a half years in Gaza, a genocide of the Palestinian People has been committed by the state of Israel. After one and a half year, Gaza is being leveled by the Israeli occupation forces and more than two million residents of Gaza are being expelled from their land while thousands of civilians have lost their lives, including thousands of children. Humanitarian aid is being delivered to Gaza by the drip-feeder under the responsibility of the Israeli forces who use hunger as a weapon of war against the civilian population, violating every word of International Humanitarian Law. 

The International Criminal Court has convicted Israel of war crimes and crimes against humanity and has issued arrest warrants for top Israeli government officials. People around the world have shown their solidarity and are pressing for a ceasefire and an end to the genocide. In our country, dozens of huge demonstrations have taken place with a clear message to both Israel and the Greek Government for a just solution based on the decisions of the UN and international organizations. 

We cannot remain indifferent and silent in the face of this enormous disaster. The Palestinian struggle for self-determination has lasted more than 80 years and hundreds of thousands of victims. On the other hand, the state of Israel has applied to Palestine all the methods mentioned in International Law (settlement, ethnic cleansing, conquest and cessation of territories, apartheid regime, etc.) in an attempt to wipe the Palestinians off the map. 

During this time, the attacks of the Israeli armed forces have been of enormous proportions, taking advantage of Hamas’ actions and essentially committing ethnic cleansing and genocide against the Palestinian People, destroying critical infrastructure (hospitals, schools, factories and productive facilities) and homes. Our unions have been making it clear since October 2023 that as employees of the Organization of the Port of Piraeus, we declare our full support and express our solidarity with the Palestinian People. The escalation of the blind violence and destruction taking place in Gaza causes us only horror and disgust. 

The reactions of the citizens of our country and around the world are given and against the continued support of most European states and the Greek Government that continues to cooperate with Israel by providing facilities for military operations. We declare in all directions that the employees of the Piraeus Port Authority do not accept to serve any cargo, any ship, we will not provide any facility that will supply military material to Israel. 

Information has been made public about two ships that are transporting material for the Israeli military industry with an intermediate stop in Piraeus. We therefore reiterate, as workers at the port of Piraeus, that we will not participate in any way nor will we work in the illegal transport, according to the decisions of the International Criminal Court, of military equipment with a starting point or intermediate stop at the port of Piraeus to Israel that ends up murdering civilians and children. We do not become in any way complicit in the crime being committed in Gaza. 

We call on the Government not to provide any facilities to ships that equip, assist and supply the Israeli armed forces on the basis of the Greek organizations of international organizations and the International Criminal Court, as other countries such as Spain, Slovenia and Malta do, and to work for peace in the region and recognition of a Palestinian State in accordance with the decisions of the UN. 

No participation, no involvement of our country in the ongoing genocide of the Palestinians. We will not allow our name to be used to continue the endless crime being committed in Gaza. 

THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS