International dock workers strike to protest arms shipments, including to Israel

Dockworkers in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Morocco struck on Friday in an international campaign against arms shipments and for better working conditions. Unions demanded an end to the wars in the Middle East, including Gaza, and to the militarization of ports. Organizers say more than 100 ports joined; experts expect limited impact on global supply chains.

Dockworkers in Europe and beyond struck on Friday as part of an international campaign against arms shipments and to demand better working conditions, unions said. Unions in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Morocco issued a joint call demanding an end to the wars in the Middle East, including the war in Gaza, and "an end to the militarization of ports." "Ports must not be used for the transport of weapons, ammunition, military equipment and troops," the statement said. "Dockworkers do not work for war!" Organizers say more than 100 ports across multiple countries joined the movement, which could affect operations in parts of Europe, the Mediterranean and North America. The Global Sumud Flotilla, a pro-Palestinian campaign group that repeatedly tried to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, said it would carry out "coordinated, strategic actions on the water" in support of the strike. In May 2026, dockworkers' unions from over 35 European countries published the so-called Istanbul Declaration demanding that port facilities not be used to transport weapons destined for war zones. Italian harbors, with Genoa at the forefront, have led protests against arms shipments, frequently blocking cargo bound for Israel and for US military bases. However, much of the arms that travel through ports is actually destined for Europe; over 2021-2025, Europe became the world's biggest arms importer, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data cited earlier this year. Israel vociferously denies that the war against Hamas in Gaza, launched after the October 7, 2023 massacre, constitutes genocide. In Greece, the ENEDEP dockworkers' union called a strike at Piraeus, the country's largest port, while a separate seafarers' strike kept ships docked at several ports and disrupted ferry services. Italy's Unione Sindacale di Base said port demonstrations were planned in Genoa, Trieste and Gioia Tauro, coinciding with a nationwide general strike over living costs, wages and military spending. France's CGT ports and docks federation called a one-day strike at Le Havre, Marseille, Dunkirk and Rouen. The scale of disruption remained unclear. Supply chain firm C.H. Robinson warned clients of possible delays varying by port. Marcus Baker of insurance broker Marsh said a 24-hour strike is unlikely to materially disrupt global trade flows, though it could affect perishable and time-sensitive shipments.