By Barry Healy
On May 25, thousands of trade unionists and supporters gathered at eight demonstrations in Australian port cities to protest military and trade ties with the Israeli state.
The protests targeted the Israeli-owned ZIM shipping company and ongoing Australian weapons exports to Israel. They were held in Port Botany in Sydney, Port of Brisbane, Port Melbourne, Fremantle, Newcastle, Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart.
Zim has pledged to use all of its ships and infrastructure “to assist Israel’s Ministry of Defense” according to a May 25 report. Under the Albanese government, Australia has exported $3.25m of arms and ammunition to Israel.
Addressing the Port Melbourne rally, Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) national secretary Christy Cain called on ACTU leader, Sally McManus to call mass rallies in solidarity with the Palestinians and he called upon Anthony Albanese to support the protest movement:
“Albo, get out there on the grass.”
Cain also expressed support for 19 protestors, including union officials charged over a Port Botany action in March.
“I will do everything I can to stop the wharves if they do not drop them charges up in Sydney,” News.com.au reported him as saying.
“There are many trade union leaders around the country who feel the same way.”
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Union Statements
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CFMEU Construction Division WA statement:
Video & Photos of the demonstrations
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RED ANT 