News - 05.09.2025

A Nation Against Genocide – Trade Unions Encourage Participation

Tomorrow, Saturday, mass gatherings will be held across the country to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and to demand action to stop the genocide currently taking place in Palestine. National federations of wage earners and numerous trade unions are organizing the event, along with many other organizations. The event aims to demonstrate widespread solidarity and, at the same time, call for actions to stop the bloodshed in Palestine, where civilians are not only being targeted militarily, but also starved to death. Journalists are being systematically killed in an attempt to reduce the public’s access to reliable information about the war crimes and crimes against humanity being committed every single day.

The international labour movement has repeatedly issued resolutions on the issue of Palestine, calling for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, immediate humanitarian aid to the region, and recognition of Palestine as a state. Palestine recently received observer status in the International Labour Organization (ILO) at the initiative of the labour movement. Furthermore, the labour movement has demanded that the ILO require the Israeli authorities to cease violations of the rights of Palestinian wage earners and to address the severe wage theft suffered by at least 200,000 Palestinians.

We, the undersigned, who represent trade unions and national federations of wage earners, stand with Palestinian wage earners and all civilians in Palestine. We are part of an international movement of wage earners that cares about this issue, and we reject the idea that silence is an acceptable option in times of genocide.

We encourage members of Icelandic trade unions to participate in the solidarity rallies in Reykjavík, Stykkishólmur, Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Húsavík, and Ísafjörður on Saturday at 2 PM.

The time for action is long overdue.

Aðalsteinn Árni Baldursson, Chair of the Framsýn Trade Union
Andri Reyr Haraldsson, Chair of the Union of Icelandic Electricians
Aneta Potrykus, Chair of the Þórshöfn Labour Union
Anna Júlíusdóttir, Chair of Eining-Iðja
Anný Björk Guðmundsdóttir, Chair of the Union of Electrical Workers in South Iceland
Anton Már Gylfason, Chair of the Association of Secondary School Managers
Arna Jakobína Björnsdóttir, Chair of the Kjölur Trade Union
Baldvin M. Zariho, Chair of the University Teachers’ Union
Berglind Kristófersdóttir, Chair of the Icelandic Cabin Crew Association
Brynhildur Heiðar- og Ómarsdóttir, Chair of Viska
Eiður Stefánsson, Chair of the Commercial Federation of Iceland and the Union of Commerce and Office Workers in Akureyri and Surroundings
Eyþór Þ. Árnason, Chair of the Hlíf Labour Union
Finnbjörn A. Hermannsson, President of the Confederation of Icelandic Labour (ASÍ)
Fjölnir Sæmundsson, Chair of the National Association of Police Officers
Georg Páll Skúlason, Chair of GRAFÍA
Guðbjörg Kristmundsdóttir, Chair of the Labour and Seamen’s Union of Keflavík and Surroundings (VSFK)
Guðjón Hreinn Hauksson, Chair of the Secondary School Teachers’ Union
Guðmundur Helgi Þórarinsson, Chair of the Union of Marine Engineers and Metal Technicians
Guðrún Elín Pálsdóttir, Chair of the Southern Iceland Labour Union
Gunnlaugur Már Briem, Chair of the Icelandic Physiotherapists’ Union
Halla Gunnarsdóttir, Leader of VR
Haraldur F. Gíslason, Chair of the Preschool Teachers’ Union
Hilmar Harðarson, Chair of Samiðn and FIT
Hjördís Þóra Sigurþórsdóttir, Chair of AFL’s Vocational Union
Hörður Guðbrandsson, Chair of the Grindavík Labour Union
Jakob Tryggvason, Chair of the Icelandic Federation of Electrical Workers
Jóhanna Fríður Bjarnadóttir, Chair of the Icelandic Postal Workers’ Union
Kári Sigurðsson, Chair of Sameyki
Kolbrún Halldórsdóttir, Chair of BHM
Laufey Elísabet Gissurardóttir, Chair of the Icelandic Union of Social Educators
Magnús Þór Jónsson, Chair of the Icelandic Teachers’ Union
Margrét Tryggvadóttir, Chair of the Writers' Union of Iceland
Ólafur Egill Egilsson, Chair of the Icelandic Directors’ Union
Óskar Hafnfjörð Gunnarsson, Chair of MATVÍS
Pétur Maack Þorsteinsson, Chair of the Icelandic Psychological Association
Rafiðnaðarfélag Norðurlands (North Iceland Electrical Workers' Union)
Sandra B. Franks, Chair of the Icelandic Union of Practical Nurses
Sigrún Grendal, Chair of the Union of Music School Teachers and Managers
Sigrún Ólafsdóttir, Chair of the Professors' Union at the Public Universities
Sigurbjörg Sæunn Guðmundsdóttir, Chair of the Icelandic Pharmaceutical Society
Sigurður Sigurjónsson, Chair of the Preschool Managers’ Union
Silja Eyrún Steingrímsdóttir, Chair of the West Iceland Trade Union
Sonja Ýr Þorbergsdóttir, Chair of BSRB
Steinunn Bergmann, Chair of the Icelandic Association of Social Workers
Steinunn Þórðardóttir, Chair of the Icelandic Medical Association
Trausti Björgvinsson, Chair of the Suðurnes Staff Association
Unnur Sigmarsdóttir, Chair of the Vestmannaeyjar Municipal Employees' Union
Valmundur Valmundsson, Chair of the Icelandic Seamen’s Federation
Vignir S. Maríasson, Chair of the Snæfellingar Labour Union
Vilhjálmur Birgisson, Chair of SGS and the Akranes Labour Union
Þorkell Heiðarsson, Chair of the Icelandic Union of Natural Scientists
Þorsteinn Sæberg, Chair of the Icelandic School Principals' Union
Þóra Leósdóttir, Chair of the Icelandic Occupational Therapists’ Union
Þórarinn G. Sverrisson, Chair of the Öldunn Trade Union

The article was first published at visir.is, 5 September 2025