Indian Ports Union Refuses to Handle Weapons for Israel Amidst Gaza war
Watan-The labor union of 11 Indian ports announced the refusal of its members to handle or unload any shipments of weapons destined to or coming from Israel. This decision came amidst reports of Indian drones being shipped to Tel Aviv amid the ongoing war waged by the occupying army on the Gaza Strip.
The Indian National Union of Water Transport Workers, representing over 3,500 workers in 11 government-owned ports in India, stated in a release that it has decided to reject the loading or unloading of weapons shipments to or from Israel or any other country involved in supplying military equipment for war in Palestine.
“We, as port workers, a part of the labor unions, will always stand against war and the killing of innocents such as women and children,” they added.”The women and children have been torn to pieces in the war. Fathers couldn’t recognize their children who were killed in explosions that were happening everywhere,” according to “Middle East Eye.”
Refusal to participate in Palestinian oppression
Narendra Rao, the General Secretary of the Indian National Union of Water Transport Workers, stated that the union refused to participate in any actions that would increase the suffering of Palestinians.
“We have decided that if any ship carrying weapons or ammunition or any weapon consignment to Israel, we decided to boycott. We will not cooperate with that,” he added.
He clarified that the union hasn’t encountered any ships loaded with weapons heading to Israel yet, and the union’s statement was intended to be a preventive measure as well as a solidarity action with Palestinians in light of the destruction in Gaza.
What is the Indian National Union of Water Transport Workers?
The Indian National Union of Water Transport Workers is a union organization in 11 major ports owned by the government in India, including 13 ports in total. They do not operate in the Mundra port, managed by the Adani Group, which holds the majority stake in a joint venture with Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest military manufacturing company.
Indian-made drones to Israel
The union’s action comes just a week after reports emerged that the occupying army received 20 Indian-made drones of the Hermes 900 model, routinely used in the war on Gaza.
Neither the Israeli nor the Indian governments publicly acknowledged the deal.
However, a source at Adani Group, which manages 12 minor ports in several states, confirmed to “The Wire” that the drones had made their way to Israel.
Human rights activists and defense analysts say this development further implicates India in the ongoing genocide of Palestinians unfolding in Gaza.
On February 7th, Indian news channel TV9 India reported that the drones, manufactured in Hyderabad, southern India, would aid in meeting “Israel’s needs in the war.”
India is the largest buyer of Israeli weapons, accounting for approximately 46% of Israel’s total arms sales to the world. Indian companies also participate in producing many Israeli weapons in factories across India.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, relations between India and Israel have grown, entering into a strategic partnership since 2018.
