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The dismissal of Swedish Dockworkers Union (SDU) spokesperson and national deputy chair Erik Helgeson is a blatant act of retaliation for the union’s legally-sanctioned boycott of military cargo to and from Israel. This dismissal represents an attack on trade union rights, freedom of speech, and the democratic decision made by dockworkers across Sweden.

In December 2024, SDU members voted with a 68% majority to launch a six-day boycott of military cargo in response to the crisis in Gaza. The boycott was not only legal but also upheld by a unanimous preliminary ruling from Sweden’s labor courts. Yet, on the very day of this legal victory, Erik was dismissed by his employer, Gothenburg RoRo Terminal – a move designed to silence union voices and intimidate workers everywhere.

The SDU vote and action has been one of the strongest actions taken by workers anywhere in Europe in solidarity with the people of Palestine since 2023. It was voted on democratically, carried out lawfully, and targeted military cargo – not the operations of the employer.

Erik’s dismissal is an attack on all of us who believe in the right to organize, to speak out against injustice, and to take meaningful action in solidarity with oppressed peoples. We must act together to demand Erik’s immediate reinstatement and to defend the right of workers to stand up for justice without fear.

Take Action Now!

Send a message to the employer (sample below). Urge your union to join ILWU Local 10 in adopting a solidarity resolution. Send a copy to the Swedish Dockworkers Union at kansli@hamn.nu

Sample Email to Send to DFDS and Gothenburg RoRo Terminal

E-mail to: roroid@gotroro.com

Subject: Reinstate Erik Helgeson – Respect Trade Union Rights

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the dismissal of Erik Helgeson, spokesperson and national deputy chair of the Swedish Dockworkers Union (SDU). Erik was fired on the very day that Sweden’s labor courts upheld the legality of the union’s boycott of military cargo to and from Israel – a boycott undertaken in response to the crisis in Gaza and supported by a democratic vote of the union’s members.

The decision to fire Erik appears to be a retaliatory measure against legitimate union activity, a move that undermines both trade union rights and freedom of speech. Sweden’s labor laws, as well as international standards on freedom of association, protect workers’ rights to organize and speak out about workplace actions without fear of retribution.

I urge you to:

1. Immediately reinstate Erik Helgeson to his position.
2. Publicly withdraw the baseless accusations against him.
3. Commit to respecting the rights of workers to organize and take collective action.

The world is watching how DFDS and Gothenburg RoRo Terminal respond to this situation. Defending Erik’s rights is not just about one individual – it is about upholding democratic principles and protecting the right of all workers to stand in solidarity with those facing injustice.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information]

[Optional: Affiliation/Union/Organisation Name]

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🟢 Hamas condemned Trump’s statements “in the strongest terms.” “We affirm that these statements are hostile to our people and our cause and will not serve stability in the region. Rather, they will pour oil on the fire. We will not allow any country in the world to occupy our land or impose guardianship over our great Palestinian people who have offered rivers of blood to liberate our land from occupation and to establish our Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital.”Hamas called on Trump to retract his statements, which they deemed irresponsible and at odds with international law. They called on the Arab League and UN to address these comments.

⚫️ Palestinian Islamic Jihad considered that Trump’s comments, made while receiving the wanted Netanyahu, “are nothing more than a new version of the ill-fated Balfour Promise—where those who have nothing are promised to those who do not deserve it.”

They called the event “a meeting between the war criminal and the arrogant real estate mogul, which epitomized the reality of the American-zionist project in our region.” This project works through intimidation, brute force, and genocide, “flouting all laws, regulations, and the will of our peoples.”

PIJ affirmed that these statements leave no doubt that the US is leading a war of genocide, displacement, and the expansion of occupation. They considered Trump’s plans, from ending UNRWA to seizing land, are a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security.

PIJ concluded: “Our Palestinian people, who have been resisting for over a hundred years, will not succumb to the dictates of Trump or anyone else. His foolish statements will only serve as motivation for us to reinforce our resistance until we achieve our objectives of liberating our land and ending the occupation. Our Palestinian people and their resistance forces are more determined and resolute than ever in confronting these conspiracies, and we call on the Arab and Islamic peoples to stand against this conspiratorial project, which targets all the peoples of our region and portends serious impending threats.”

🔴 The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine was similarly direct: Gaza is not a real estate project.

They considered the statements “nothing but an extension of the genocide war waged by the Zionist enemy under the direct American cover, and an attempt to establish a new colonial project based on ethnic cleansing and the uprooting of our people from their land.”

They added: “Gaza is not a commodity in the hands of a war merchant like Trump or anyone else; rather, it is an integral part of historical Palestine, which stretches from Ras al-Naqoura to Rafah, and it is the gateway upon which the forces of colonialism have repeatedly crashed throughout history.”

“Any dream of controlling Gaza is merely an illusion that will shatter against the rock of the steadfastness and resistance of our people, and the fate of any American occupation force in the Strip will be no different from that of the zionist enemy; our people will confront it with all their strength and determination, just as they repelled the zionist aggression.”

“Gaza will forever remain a graveyard for invaders and an oasis of steadfastness and resistance for its free and dignified people.”

The PFLP called on all people to “confront this colonial scheme.” “We especially urge the active forces in the United States to take to the streets and declare their rejection of this new crime, which reflects the true face of American imperialism that colludes with the zionist occupation. Our struggle against this colonial, extirpatory project is the battle of all free peoples who reject colonialism, displacement, and the uprooting of a free people from their land.”

⚪️ Similarly, the Mujahideen Movement strongly condemned the statements of Trump and those around him. They considered the statements to reflect a determination to continue aggression against the Palestinian people. They noted that attempts to obstruct reconstruction serve the zionist agenda. They affirmed that Trump will not achieve what Biden was not able to. “The genocide committed by the Nazi zionists with American weaponry failed to displace our people, and Trump’s threats will not succeed in what their criminal arms failed to achieve.

The Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Salem Attallah, suggested moving zionist settlers to an American state, as “no zionist invader will ever have our security and safety on our land as long as there’s a people and the determines resistance committed to reclaiming all its legitimate rights.” He noted that the international system has become a tool of American-zionist hegemony and arrogance.

The Movement also noted that Trump’s reception of the criminal Netanyahu represents contempt for ICC decisions, and they rejected his statements that “expose the ugly face of the United States.” They stated, like other factions, that Trump’s plans are a serious threat to the region and world. Yet, they noted that a people who faced American weapons for 15 months will not kneel to American words: “his plans will fail due to the steadfast resistance of our people.”

⚔️ The Popular Resistance Committees saw the statements as embodying American values. They considered Trump’s reception of Netanyahu as a reward for his “fascist entity’s genocide against women, children, and the elderly…with American support.”
They called for popular action rejecting Trump’s statements globally to confront their danger.

Abu Mujahid affirmed that the Palestinian people and their resistance will thwart the goals of the zionist enemy, remaining steadfast and again foiling displacement plans.

“The plan to displace and eradicate our people has fallen and failed under the feet of our displaced people who returned to their land from which they were displaced under the bombing, destruction and war of zionist-American genocide.”

He added that “Egypt and Jordan will not allow the existence of an alternative homeland for the Palestinians…” and that American administrations have not broken the will of the Palestinian people despite their unlimited resources.

Abu Mujahid noted: “If Arab countries refuse to normalize with the zionist entity and submit to the American decision biased towards the criminal zionist entity, and stop paying the billions of dollars with which America finances its aggression against our peoples, then the criminal Trump will not be able to implement his malicious criminal plans.”

“It is time for us, as a Palestinian people, to put aside all our differences and adhere to our unity on the basis of protecting the constants and legitimate Palestinian national rights.”

Via Resistance News Network

https://t.me/PalestineResist/72992

https://t.me/PalestineResist/72993

—

Since seizing power in our homeland Syria on December 8, 2024, as a result of a military attack fully supported by colonial powers that are members of the aggressive NATO, the dark clique has begun to restrict the social rights of the people. Tens of thousands of workers in the state and public sector facilities have been laid off, with many of these facilities being liquidated, which has led to a worsening of the economic and social situation. In addition, discrimination between citizens on the basis of their beliefs and affiliations is escalating. Kidnappings and assassinations have taken place and are taking place, accompanied by theft, looting and extortion.

On January 29, 2025, the features of the political tyranny of these forces began to crystallize more clearly. On that day, an expanded meeting was held for the leaders of the armed groups who seized most of the country as a result of historical conjuncture, without having any qualifications other than the power of arms.

In this meeting, it was agreed to consolidate the authoritarian style of ruling the country. One person was given full executive and legislative powers in running the state. This means emphasizing a blatant dictatorial system of government under the Turkish mandate. It is worth noting that this dangerous step was preceded by numerous meetings with representatives of imperialist centers and reactionary Arab regimes, in addition to the permanent presence of the Turkish guardian, which indicates that this transformation took place with the blessing of these circles. All promises to establish democratic freedoms and take steps in this direction were thrown into the trash can. Syria became without a constitution for the country, controlled by the whims of the obscurantists and the interests of the powers behind them.

Note that in the 2012 constitution that was abolished, there is no reference to the ruling party, but it stipulates general social rights, so this constitution was considered an obstacle to the path of transforming our country into a haven for the reactionary, obscurantist forces and their masters. The Turkish colonizer wants to carry out transformations in Syria of an extremist, obscurantist nature, which it cannot carry out in its own country. The ill-fated meeting of January 29 also decided to dissolve many national parties, including the Syrian Communist Party. We see this measure as a first step, which will be followed by other steps to restrict all true national and democratic forces.

The Syrian Communist Party, which is over a hundred years old, during which it has fought in various circumstances, will not submit to this unjust decision to dissolve it. It will continue its struggle in defense of the rights of the popular masses and to restore the independence and sovereignty of the homeland. We, the Syrian Communists, do not fear oppression and persecution, and our history is a witness to that. The Syrian people know us for our steadfastness on principle and our integrity in serving the people.

In this difficult stage, we see one of our first tasks as working to unite the ranks of all the good forces in our country, regardless of their background, in order to confront tyranny and dark oppression.

Together in the struggle for a free homeland and a happy people!

January 30, 2025
Central Committee of the Syrian Communist Party

Los Angeles activists remain a strong presence outside the Zionist consulate. Their signs pay tribute to 5-year-old Palestinian martyr Hind Rajab, who, along with her family, was murdered by the U.S.-backed Zionist military in Gaza on January 29, one year ago.