Global Unions call for worldwide recognition of State of Palestine at UN Assembly

The unions called on all countries to take steps toward supporting a democratic and sovereign Palestine living in peace alongside Israel. In May 2024, leaders from these global unions traveled as part of a delegation to Ramallah where they met with trade unions and officials within the Palestinian Authority. During these meetings, they heard calls for recognition as an essential step for building a sovereign future and ensuring peace and dignity.

Currently, 147 out of 193 United Nations member states have formally recognized Palestine. The unions commended those governments planning further recognitions during this year’s assembly. According to their statement, such recognition affirms Palestinians’ right to self-determination and helps create conditions for negotiations between equal parties while addressing ongoing power imbalances related to occupation.

They stated that decades without progress have resulted in cycles of violence and what UN experts recently described as one of Palestine’s gravest humanitarian crises in decades. Recognition now would signal international resolve against delays regarding Palestinian rights and provide a basis for renewed peace efforts.

The union leaders emphasized that workers everywhere are entitled to freedom, dignity, and security—standards they believe must also apply to Palestinians—and argued that recognition should be seen as fundamental rather than conditional upon negotiation outcomes.

Among those signing were general secretaries from UNI Global Union; Education International; IndustriALL Global Union; International Trade Union Confederation; International Transport Workers’ Federation; Building and Wood Workers International; International Domestic Workers Federation; Public Services International; International Union of Food Workers’ Associations; International Federation of Journalists; and Trade Union Advisory Committee to OECD.

The statement concluded by urging all governments at the United Nations to commit to recognizing Palestine as an expression of international commitment toward human rights and compliance with Security Council resolutions—a move supporters say is necessary for achieving lasting peace between Israel and a sovereign Palestine.