Social Justice and Democracy

Canada’s Unions call on the Canadian government to fight to stop the annexation of Palestinian lands

June 2, 2020

The Canadian Labour Congress condemns the recent unilateral move by Israel to annex parts of Palestinian territory. This move dismantles decades of work towards a just and negotiated settlement between Israel and Palestine.

Israel’s new coalition government has announced it will move forward with the process of annexing West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley as early as July.

The unilateral annexation of territory has been strictly prohibited under international law since 1945 when the Charter of the United Nations was adopted. Israel’s control of the Palestinian territories has been denounced as illegal under international law and in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and the Geneva Convention.

Under Israeli occupation, Palestinians have been forced to live under heavy restrictions that limit their access to work, health, housing and social affairs. As Israel has expanded its settlements and built a separation wall around Palestinian lands – illegal acts under international law – Palestinians have been subject to evictions and displacement, confiscation of land, settler violence and loss of access to natural resources.

This annexation will have devastating social and economic implications. It is expected that this would disconnect around 200,000 Palestinians from their communities and livelihoods. It will also advance the annexation of Jerusalem and destroy the establishment of a Palestinian capital in the city, breaking the territorial contiguity between East Jerusalem and the West Bank. This contiguity is essential for the fabric of life for Palestinians.

The government of Canada must send a strong message in opposition to the illegal and unilateral annexation of Palestinian lands and officially recognize the State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders. Canada must consider a forceful response, including revisiting the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement and other bilateral agreements and the imposition of economic sanctions against Israel.

  • Workplace Health and Safety
  • Urgent action needed to end homophobic and
    transphobic violence at work

    May 17, 2023
    Click to open the link
  • Social Justice and Democracy
  • Never again: Canada’s unions mark 10 years since the Rana Plaza factory collapse

    April 24, 2023
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • Statement from Bea Bruske: To uphold refugee rights, Canada must suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement

    April 4, 2023
    Click to open the link
  • Trade and International Affairs
  • Like Biden, Trudeau should put good union jobs on the agenda

    March 22, 2023
    Click to open the link
  • Workplace Health and Safety
  • Canada’s unions are celebrating Canada’s ratification of International Labour Organization Convention 190

    January 30, 2023
    Click to open the link
  • Ending Discrimination
  • Canada’s unions: urgent action needed to end Islamophobia, protect Muslim communities

    January 29, 2023
    Click to open the link
  • Trade and International Affairs
  • Statement by the Canadian Labour Congress regarding the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

    January 14, 2023
    Click to open the link