US Postal Workers Union calls for ceasefire in Gaza, denounces Israel's 'relentless' bombing campaign

The union for the United States Postal Service, one the largest in the US, has called for a ceasefire in Israel's more than month-long bombing of Gaza, following Hamas's surprise 7 October attack.

The American Postal Workers Union, which has over 200,000 members across the US, issued a statement on Wednesday calling for an "immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and urgently needed massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza".

Giving a reason for the move, the union emphasised its duty to speak up for those facing oppression, aligning it with its position representing working people.

"The cries of humanity demand nothing less," the statement said. "As working people, we stand with the oppressed and the innocent, thousands of whom have lost their lives in the last month."

"As a union that stands for equality, social justice, human and labour rights, and international solidarity, we unite with unions and people of goodwill around the world in calls for justice and peace," the statement said.

The union said it acknowledged the loss of Israeli lives and the kidnappings of people still being held by Hamas. However, they emphasised that Israel response was "excessive".

"Israel’s response has made the prospects for peace more remote," the statement said. "Over 10,000 innocent civilians, including 4,000 children, have been killed by the relentless and indiscriminate bombing campaign on Gaza."

The statement also noted Gazans' lack of access to basic resources, including food, water, fuel and medical supplies, which the union described as "a war crime".

"We call on our government, which is the primary foreign benefactor of the Israeli government, to use all its power to protect innocent lives and to help bring about peace in the region, and not use our tax dollars for more war," the statement said.

The president of the union, Mark Dimondstein, who describes himself as an anti-Zionist Jew, has long spoken out on Palestinian human rights.

Last month, he gave a 30-minute address at a union meeting condemning Israel's bombing of Gaza and calling for a single state in which the two peoples live together with equal rights.

Gazan civilians under Israel's siege and bombardment have seen growing support from growing support in the US, particularly among leftists and young people.

Israel's bombing of the impoverished and besieged enclave has killed over 11,000 people, including 4,506 children, 3,027 women and 678 elderly people, and wounded over 27,490.