Reaffirming last year’s call for a ceasefire in the Middle East and an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine, the only solutions for a sustainable peace between two democratic states, Eurocadres—The European Council of Professionals and Managers—is once again asking for the promotion of peace in the region.

As the conflict has expanded to Lebanon and Iran, among other regions, international law and norms must be upheld. The EU needs to act as an impartial mediator in the conflict and ensure that human rights and international law are respected, if it hopes to regain global credibility.

European institutions also need to publicly support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), a vital lifeline for the hundreds of thousands Palestinians in Gaza, where, according to the agency, “the smell of death is everywhere, as bodies are left lying on the roads or under the rubble”.

Despite these conditions, UNRWA continues its work, as do UN Peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon. However, they are still not protected from ongoing attacks by the Israeli forces, which need to be unequivocal condemned by European leaders.

While trade unions across the world have consistently been calling for peace, we must still reaffirm our calls for employers, national governments, and European institutions to take action.

In urging a regional ceasefire, we also call on the EU to explore all possible levers to secure it, ensuring human rights and international law remain central to relations with trading partners. We urge President von der Leyen and President Metsola to heed the voices of workers and act towards peace.