Indian transport union refuses to handle 'Israel'-bound arms ships
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The union of 3,500 workers unanimously agrees to boycott all handling of weaponized commodities since it "helps provide organizations with the ability to kill innocent people.”
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The Israeli Galaxy leader ship docked at the port of Hodeidah after the Yemeni Armed Forces captured it in the Red Sea in November 2023. (AFP)
The Water Transport Workers Federation of India, which represents 3,500 workers at 11 major Indian ports, has vowed that it will refuse to handle the cargo on any ships carrying weaponry headed for the Israeli occupation, The Wire reported.
In a statement released last week, they expressed a decision "to refuse to load or unload weaponized cargoes from Israel or any other country which could handle military equipment and its allied cargo for war in Palestine."
The union vowed that port workers, as members of labor unions, will always oppose the war and the slaughter of innocent women and children, condemning the Israeli aggression that threw thousands of Palestinians into "immense suffering and loss."
This comes at a time when a ground invasion of the city of Rafah looms, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told troops to prepare for an offensive in the southern city, which now hosts more than half of Gaza's total population.
The labor union called for an "immediate ceasefire" and vowed to refuse the handling of all weaponized cargo that would "help provide organizations with the ability to kill innocent people."
The press statement added that it stood in solidarity with peace campaigners, urging all workers and peacemakers globally to demand a free Palestine.
Narendra Rao, general secretary of the Water Transport Federation of India, told The Wire that the union is part of a global body that met at a recent meeting in Athens. Rao recalled the "rousing reception the trade union representative from Palestine got there, as they explained exactly what was going on."
Rao detailed that the union then decided to "express solidarity with Palestine" and refuse to handle all weapon-laden cargo that would help "Israel" kill more Palestinians.
Meanwhile, an Adani Group-controlled joint venture in Hyderabad has produced and delivered more than 20 combat drones to the Israeli occupation forces (IOF). Hermes drones, identical to those recently provided by Adani-Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd, are widely deployed in "Israel's assault in Gaza, which has killed close to 29,000 people, including more than 10,000 children.
Neither the Israeli government nor New Delhi have confirmed the sale, but anonymous sources at Adani told The Wire in early February that the export occurred.
US prepares new arms shipment to 'Israel': Reports
The Biden administration is reportedly getting ready to provide additional bombs and weaponry to "Israel", expanding its military capabilities, despite alleged "ongoing efforts by the US to facilitate a ceasefire in Gaza," according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal.
As per the information provided, the planned delivery encompasses approximately a thousand MK-82 bombs, along with fuses and JDAM guidance kits that are supposed to enhance the precision of the munitions. The total value of this package is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars.
A US official, as quoted by the newspaper, mentioned that the proposal is currently undergoing an internal administration review and might undergo changes before being submitted to the congressional committee chiefs for approval.
The report also references an evaluation of the proposal by the US Embassy in al-Quds, stating that the Israeli government is pursuing "rapid acquisition of these items for the defense of Israel against continued and emerging regional threats."
The assessment reportedly stated that there are "no human rights concerns" associated with the deal, claiming that "Israel takes effective action to prevent gross violations of human rights and to hold security forces responsible that violate those rights. In the past, Israel has been a transparent partner in US investigations into allegations of defense article misuse."
