Throughout history, labor strikes have been used as a potent tool in expressing dissent, voicing grievances, and demanding change. In Palestine, they have emerged as a powerful mode of resistance and a critical source of leverage for workers. These strikes have encompassed diverse sectors, including labor, education, healthcare, and more, showcasing the unity and determination of the Palestinian people in their struggle for liberation.

In our latest policy lab, Sumaya Awad and Jamal Juma join host Tariq Kenney-Shawa to discuss how labor strikes and union organizing have mobilized Palestinians across the socio-political spectrum, both in Palestine and abroad.

Sumaya Awad is a Palestinian writer and organizer based in NYC. She is the Director of Strategy at the Adalah Justice Project and co-editor of Palestine: A Socialist Introduction.

Jamal Juma’ is the Coordinator of the Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign (Stop the Wall), a secretariat member of the BDS National Committee (BNC), and an executive committee member of the New Unions.

Tariq Kenney-Shawa is Al-Shabaka's US Policy Fellow. He holds a Masters degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and a Bachelors degree in Political Science and Middle East Studies from Rutgers University. Tariq's research has focused on a range of topics, from the role of narrative in both perpetuating and resisting occupation to analysis of Palestinian liberation strategies.

About the Policy Lab Program: Al-Shabaka's Policy Lab Program is an online live-stream space where audiences can engage directly with expert analysts from our nearly 200-member network as they craft policies and strategies related to Palestine. The labs are free and open for public participation, inviting viewers to join in on policy discussions.

Note: This discussion will take place in English. Our policy labs are supported through the generosity of donors. They are free to attend, though we accept contributions on a sliding scale upon registration to help sustain the program.

Organized Resistance: Labor Strikes in the Palestinian Liberation Struggle