Protest against Zionist Israel by HAK-İŞ in front of the Broken Chair sculpture in Geneva

The HAK-İŞ Trade Union Confederation, Our Union’s superstructure, organised another protest against Zionist Israel in front of the Broken Chair sculpture(***) in Geneva, Switzerland on June 03rd, 2026.

As the ÖZ SAĞLIK-İŞ Health and Social Services Workers’ Union delegation that is in Geneva to attend the 114th session of the International Labour Conference hosted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), we participated in the international protest action organised by our HAK-İŞ Confederation in front of the Broken Chair sculpture in Geneva, Switzerland on June 03rd, 2026 in order to stop the massacres and genocide of Zionist and terorist state Israeli in Palestine territory, and said “stop to the massacres and genocide in Gaza”.

The protest action organised by the HAK-İŞ Trade Union Confederation involved  Mr. Mahmut Arslan that is the HAK-İŞ Confederation, Mr. Devlet Sert that is President of the Öz Sağlık-İş Health and Social Services Union and Vice-President of the HAK-İŞ Trade Union Confederation together with Mr. Muhammet Esat Eyvaz, Vice-President for Financial Issues, Mrs. Eda Akbulut that is the HAK-İŞ Confederation General Secretary, Mr. Fadlı Erdem, General Secretary, Mr. İlyas Şeker, Chief Legal Advisor, Mr. Uğur Müftüoğlu, International Relations Coordinator, Mr. Mehmet Selim Ahi, Advocate of our Union and many other representatives from  Türkiye such as Mr. Ergün Atalay that is the Türk-İş Confederation President, Mr. Önder Kahveci that is President of the Türkiye Kamu-Sen Confederation and other countries.

MR. ARSLAN: THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE IS A MATTER OF HUMANITY’S COMMON CONSCIENCE
HAK-İŞ General President Mahmut Arslan, in his speech, stated that the Palestinian issue was the result of a long process of occupation and oppression that began with the establishment of the Zionist State of Israel in 1948 by adding that the Palestinian people have been subjected to exiles, occupations, massacres, and forced migrations for approximately 80 years. Mr Arslan said that “What is happening in Palestine is not only a matter of the Palestinian people, but a matter of all humanity’s common conscience.”

By underlining that the oppression and attacks that have been ongoing in Palestine for years have reached a much more severe dimension after October 7th, 2023 Mr. Arslan explained that mosques, schools, hospitals, and residential areas where civilians live in Gaza have intentionally been targeted by attracting attention to the the fact that “everything that represents humanity is being systematically destroyed, and that what is happening in Gaza is a great human tragedy unfolding before the eyes of the entire world.”

MR. ARSLAN: THOSE WHO REMAIN SILENT ARE ALSO ACCOMPLICES TO THIS CRIME
Noting that almost all international organizations primarily the United Nations, have failed to take effective steps in the face of the massacres, Mr. Arslan criticised the silence stance of the international community by expressing that those who remain silent in the face of the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Gaza also bear responsibility before history.  

Mr. Mahmut Arslan, the HAK-İŞ Confederation President,  stated that where governments and international organizations have been insufficient, people all over the world have taken to the streets and squares to show solidarity with the Palestinian people by saying that “We wholeheartedly thank the people of the world who have transformed all the squares of the world into Palestinian squares,” and also thanked all trade unions, human rights defenders, and solidarity movements that see the Palestinian cause as their own.”

MR. ARSLAN: TÜRKİYE HAS ALWAYS BEEN STANDING BY THE ACTIVISTS AND PALESTINE PEOPLE

Referring to the global Sumud Flotilla missions which were organised to break the Gaza blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, Mr. Arslan said that human rights activists from all over the world waged an important struggle in the name of humanity. By stating that the Sumud mission has become an important solidarity movement that has revived the conscience of humanity, Mr. Arslan noted that those initiatives showed the Palestinian people were not alone.

In his speech, Mr. Arslan also touched upon Türkiye’s diplomatic initiatives by stating that as a result of the initiatives of  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and  intense efforts of the Republic of Türkiye, the detained human rights activists were released and returned to their countries. He stated that the activists were not left alone throughout the process and said that the hardships experienced by the volunteers in the SUMUD mission should be seen by the world public by emphasizing that the struggle in solidarity with the Palestinian people would continue despite all obstacles.

Mr. Arslan wrapped up his speech by stating that they would continue the struggle against human rights violations in different parts of the world, especially in Palestine, and that they would keep on defending human dignity, justice, and international law by intensifying their struggle against oppression and injustice.

The protest meeting ended after messages of solidarity with the Palestinian people and the common stance of the international trade union movement.

 

 

(***) The Geneva Broken Chair sculpture is a large wooden artwork symbolizing the global campaign against landmines. Standing across from the Palace of Nations, it depicts a chair balanced on three legs, representing the devastation and displacement caused by armed violence. The broken leg signifies the suffering of civilians, especially children, affected by landmines. Created by artist Giuseppe Penone, it serves as a powerful reminder of the need for disarmament and humanitarian action. It also stands as a memorial to victims of war and a call for peace.

The Broken Chair is a monumental 12-meter (39-foot) wooden sculpture located in the Place des Nations in Geneva, just across the street from the Palais des Nations (the European headquarters of the United Nations).  Artist: Created by Swiss sculptor Daniel Berset and built by carpenter Louis Genève in 1997. The Message: Commissioned by Handicap International, it serves as a powerful symbol opposing landmines and cluster bombs. The broken leg represents the millions of civilians affected by explosive weapons, while the intact parts of the chair symbolize dignity, resilience, and hope.Dimensions: Built from 5.5 tons of solid wood. 

Location & Visiting: The sculpture sits in the center of a bustling traffic roundabout right outside the main gate of the United Nations. Because it is an open-air public monument, it is entirely free to view and photograph at any time of the year.

History: Originally intended to be a temporary three-month installation to coincide with the signing of the Ottawa Treaty (banning anti-personnel mines), its profound resonance with the public led it to become a permanent fixture for peace.