Kochi port Unions boycott Israeli ships
The Kochi port Trade Unions, comprising those affiliated to the Left parties, the Indian National Trade Union Congress and the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, have approved the boycott of Israeli ships and cargo. The decision was adopted at a meeting on Wednesday. The Unions demand that Israel end the embargo on Gaza and atrocities on Palestinian people, the Hindu reports.
Members of the joint action committee of the port unions marched to the Kochi office of Zim Integrated Shipping Services, based in Haifa, Israel.
However, exports and imports between India and Israel may be affected. After India ended its long diplomatic freeze with Israel in the 1990s, trade has steadily increased between the two countries, making rapid strides over the past few years. The imports include machinery and engineering goods, solar equipment and raw materials used in tyre manufacture.
“We will boycott all Israeli vessels and Israeli cargo entering the port,” said Charles George, the leader of the Trade Union Coordination Committee at the port, who also heads the Kerala State Motor Thozhilali Union, which is active among the workers handling cargo containers.