The CGIL General Assembly, confirms its positions adopted in previous resolutions on European and international policies, and firmly condemns the military attack by Israel against Iran. This extremely serious act represents a dangerous new escalation in the Middle East, the cost of which will once again be borne by the civilian populations of all the countries involved.

This violent aggression further exacerbates an already devastating regional conflict, adding to the ongoing systematic massacre of civilians in Gaza, as well as the attacks in Lebanon, Yemen and other countries in the region. The impunity with which these crimes are committed against civilians is unacceptable.

We reiterate our strong condemnation of all forms of violence and war. We are calling for an immediate end to the hostilities and for full compliance with international and humanitarian law. This must begin with Israel complying with the International Court of Justice's order concerning the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

CGIL opposes the rearmament policies of both the European Union and NATO. Increased investment in rearment fuels an unsustainable spiral of war that is incompatible with the values of coexistence and peace. And has nothing to do with the development of a foreign and defence policy or the European Union. We urge Italian, European and international institutions to abandon the logic of military confrontation and to invest in diplomacy, in order to achieve a lasting ceasefire in all war zones, starting with Ukraine and Palestine, first and foremost by halting the sale of arms and suspending trade agreements with all countries at war, starting with Israel.

We stand with all populations affected by war and violence. We are calling for the immediate establishment of humanitarian corridors and access to medical care, as well as protection for the most vulnerable people: children, women, the elderly and those who are frail. We express our closeness to the Iranian civilian population and reaffirm our support for the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, as well as for the trade unionists, activists and journalists who are still being imprisoned, tortured and repressed by the regime of ayatollahs.

The CGIL General Assembly welcomes the International Labour Organisation’s recognition of the state of Palestine as a non-member state, and reiterates its request to the Italian government to recognise the state of Palestine. The CGIL General Assembly commits all its structures to continuing and strengthening fundraising for humanitarian purposes in favour of Gaza, Myanmar, Ukraine and other war-torn regions. The Assembly is also committed to developing concrete international cooperation projects.

We cannot and will not stay silent while war becomes an accepted method of resolving conflicts, nor can we tolerate the continued violation of international law. We strongly oppose the acquisition and potential use of nuclear weapons.

In light of the ongoing wars in the Middle East, the ongoing siege and deaths in Gaza, and the resurgence of war in Ukraine, we are committed to participating in ongoing mobilisations, including the “Stop Rearm Europe” demonstration in Rome on 21 June. Alongside networks, coalitions and Via Maestra, we will hold a moment of reflection and propose a mobilisation in Italy and with the European trade union against war and rearmament to reaffirm the urgent need for action by Italian and European institutions for peace and in defence of international law and democracy.