About
Labor for Palestine (U.S.) was launched in 2004, responding to Palestinian calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, in order to serve as a framework to mobilize labor support in the U.S. for Palestinian workers’ struggle for justice. It was founded at the Al-Awda Palestine Right to Return Coalition convention in New York City in April 2004 by New York City Labor Against the War and Al-Awda NY, and officially announced from the platform of the Million Worker March in October 2004..
LFP’s Founding Statement defines its vision of solidarity with Palestine and its demands:
1. Fully support Palestinian national, democratic and labor rights throughout historic Palestine, including the right of all Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and land.
2. Demand an end to U.S. military and economic support for Israeli Apartheid.
3. Divest all labor investments in Israeli Apartheid.
4. Affiliate with Labor For Palestine.
Since that time, LFP has grown, as has international labor support for the boycott of Israel and for Palestinian workers’ struggles, particularly following the 2008-2009 assault on Gaza. LFP has focused on cutting U.S. labor relationships with the racist Histadrut and calling for divestment in the State of Israel Bonds widely held by U.S. labor unions.
We encourage you to become active with LFP. Contact us today!
Partial Timeline of Labor for Palestine
The June 5 picket built on more than six years of NYCLAW work against Israeli Apartheid.
April 20, 2002
NYCLAW helps ensure unified action, with full inclusion of Palestine, in the first national antiwar protest following 9/11, which takes place in Washington, D.C.
May 21, 2002
NYCLAW pickets the Midtown Manhattan appearance of Israeli Consul General Alon Pinkus before the AFL-CIO Israel Bonds National Labor Division.
http://nyclaw01.wordpress.com/2002/05/21/no-labor-money-for-israeli-war-crimes/
December 2002
NYCLAW cosponsors U.S. tour by Palestinian trade unionists.
http://nyclaw01.wordpress.com/2002/12/13/new-york-city-labor-against-the-war-presents-an-evening-with-palestinian-trade-unionists/
March 20, 2004
NYCLAW successfully fights for UFPJ to join with the ANSWER Coalition in unified New York City antiwar protest that includes Palestinian demands.
http://nyclaw01.wordpress.com/2004/03/22/m20-nyc-antiwar-labor-report/
http://www.wrmea.com/archives/April_2004/0404032.html
April 2004
NYCLAW and Al-Awda-NY initiate Labor for Palestine, which calls for: Palestinian national, democratic and labor rights throughout historic Palestine, including the right of all Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and land; An end to U.S. military and economic support for Israeli Apartheid; and Divestment of all labor investments in Israeli Apartheid.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article3871.shtml
October 7, 2004
NYCLAW helps organize “From Palestine to the US — Labor Fights Back” forum, at AFSCME District Council 1707 in New York City.
http://nyclaw01.wordpress.com/2004/10/07/from-palestine-to-the-us-labor-fights-back/
October 17, 2004
Labor for Palestine is announced from the platform of the Million Worker March in Washington, DC.
http://nyclaw01.wordpress.com/2004/10/17/speech-at-million-worker-march-dc/
November 20, 2004
Labor for Palestine simultaneously presented at a NYCLAW’s “Resistance to Empire” conference held at AFSCME District Council 1707, and at Al-Awda’s West Coast Regional Conference in San Diego, where it “was given center stage as one of Al-Awda’s most critical campaigns for international justice.”
http://nyclaw01.wordpress.com/2004/11/20/two-oceans-of-solidarity/
December 2004
Labor for Palestine issues founding statement.
http://nyclaw01.wordpress.com/2004/12/01/263/
December 2, 2004
NYCLAW proposes that U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW): (1) Condemn Israeli attacks on the rights of Palestinian labor; (2) Join a U.S. labor delegation to examine the conditions of Palestinian workers; (3) Organize a U.S. speaking for Palestinian trade unionists; and (4) Discuss joining LFP and the growing movement for boycott, divestment and sanctions. USLAW declines to do so.
http://nyclaw01.wordpress.com/2004/12/02/solidarity-with-palestinian-workers-proposed-resolution-to-december-2004-uslaw-conference/
July 23, 2005
Labor for Palestine conference in Chicago coincides with AFL-CIO convention.
http://nyclaw01.wordpress.com/2005/07/23/rebuilding-labor-at-the-afl-cio-convention-in-chicago/
August 11, 2006
NYCLAW statement denounces U.S. labor leaders’ support and/or silence about the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.
http://nyclaw01.wordpress.com/2006/08/11/nyclaw-statement-labor-and-the-middle-east-war/
August 2007
NYCLAW participates in a two-week delegation of attorneys and activists to the ‘67 and ‘48 areas of Palestine.
March 23, 2008
NYCLAW statement on U.S. Labor and Gaza is endorsed by hundreds of activists around the world.
http://www.petitiononline.com/Gaza/petition.html
