Ports of Sweden
Blockade of Israeli Weapons Despite Ceasefire - Can Be Stopped by Court
Wayne Seretis
Published 22.42
Quick Version
- The Port Workers' Union is planning a blockade of weapons deliveries to and from Israel as a measure of sympathy for the civilian population of Gaza, despite the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
- The employers' association Ports of Sweden has sued the Port Workers' Union in the labor court, claiming that the blockade is illegal due to the prevailing peace obligation until April 2025.
- The blockade has been received positively by the Palestinian trade union movement, which sees it as a way for civil society to support the reconstruction of the Palestinians.
Despite the ceasefire, the union intends to continue its sympathy action for the civilian population of Gaza.
- Both parties that concluded this agreement, the Israeli government and Hamas, have shown extreme recklessness in the face of civilian casualties, says Erik Helgeson, vice chairman of the union.
Starting next Tuesday, Sweden's dockworkers have announced a blockade of weapons and ammunition deliveries to and from Israel in Swedish ports.
According to the dockworkers' union, the Swedish Armed Forces are a major customer of the Israeli defense industry, while Swedish exports to Israel are smaller in size.
- These contracts that the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration has signed are worth billions. As we understand it, they are communications equipment, weapon systems for aircraft, parts for drones used in military use and other things, says Erik Helgeson.
Helgeson believes that the blockade is mainly symbolic and has very little impact on daily work.
– Our blockade is incredibly limited, 99.99 percent of all daily operations will be running anyway. It does not apply to fruit and such, it only applies to military equipment from Israel, he says.
The Ports of Sweden Employers' Association believes that the union is violating agreements entered into and has taken the matter to the labor court, which is due to issue an initial decision on Thursday.
Marcus Dahlsten, CEO of Ports of Sweden, says in a press release that “the blockade is unlawful because the port workers' union is bound by a peace obligation through its secondary agreement until April 30, 2025.”
The employers want the labor court to make a quick decision that cancels the “unlawful industrial action” unless the union withdraws the notice.
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration does not currently want to comment on how a blockade would affect their operations, or whether they have alternative transport plans
– FMV does not comment on what security measures the authority is taking in connection with how and when transports are carried out. FMV generally monitors the security situation and adapts its operations accordingly, writes Lukas Linné, acting press officer at FMV via email.
The fact that Hamas and the Israeli government have entered into a ceasefire agreement does not affect the dock workers' notice.
– Both parties that entered into this agreement, the Israeli government and Hamas, have shown recklessness in the face of civilian casualties. Then we do not see it as reasonable to resume arms imports and exports. Then we are happy that the bombs have stopped falling now, and that some of the hostages have returned home, says Helgeson.
In the Palestinian areas, the notice has been received positively.
– We have received very strong reactions from the Palestinian trade union movement. When we gave notice, they were incredibly grateful. They believe that action in civil society is the best way they have to rebuild their lives, says Helgeson.
A decision on the direction is expected from the labor court on Thursday.
Marcus Dahlsten, CEO of Ports of Sweden, says in a press release that “the blockade is unlawful because the port workers' union is bound by a peace obligation through its secondary agreement until April 30, 2025.”
The employers want the labor court to make a quick decision that cancels the “unlawful industrial action” unless the union withdraws the notice.
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration does not currently want to comment on how a blockade would affect their operations, or whether they have alternative transport plans
– FMV does not comment on what security measures the authority is taking in connection with how and when transports are carried out. FMV generally monitors the security situation and adapts its operations accordingly, writes Lukas Linné, acting press officer at FMV via email.
The fact that Hamas and the Israeli government have entered into a ceasefire agreement does not affect the dock workers' notice.
– Both parties that entered into this agreement, the Israeli government and Hamas, have shown recklessness in the face of civilian casualties. Then we do not see it as reasonable to resume arms imports and exports. Then we are happy that the bombs have stopped falling now, and that some of the hostages have returned home, says Helgeson.
In the Palestinian areas, the notice has been received positively.
– We have received very strong reactions from the Palestinian trade union movement. When we gave notice, they were incredibly grateful. They believe that action in civil society is the best way they have to rebuild their lives, says Helgeson.
A decision on the direction is expected from the labor court on Thursday.
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