Chaos and barbarity are part of everyday life for people in Ukraine, in Gaza, and now in Iran and Lebanon.
There can be no silence in the face of this, because that means accepting the killing and the waging of war.
German Chancellor Merz is complicit in this barbarity – he supplies weapons to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, he allows US bombers to take off from the largest US base in Europe, Ramstein.
This is completely unacceptable – it contradicts Germany’s Basic Law, which reminds us Germans that “actions which are likely to disturb, and are undertaken with the intention of disturbing, the peaceful coexistence of nations are unconstitutional. (Article 26)”.
As a trade unionist, as a metalworker, as a former chairman of the European Motor Workers’ Union, I therefore support the International Conference Against War in London, which grew out of the anti-war conference in Paris.
The British trade unions are calling on us trade unionists to come to London because, “given the deteriorating international situation and the rise of the far right in Europe, it is necessary to expand and deepen international relations between trade unionists, peace movements, and progressive forces.”
And they state, “The peoples of Europe are demanding peace” and “wages instead of weapons,” “social security instead of war,” as the call to the London conference states.
It is necessary and of the utmost urgency that trade unions in every country, across Europe, and indeed internationally, unite against rearmament, militarization, and preparations for war.
Therefore, I call on my colleagues: support the London anti-war conference, discuss it, and travel to London.
Klaus Zwickel, former president of IG Metall and of the European Automotive Workers’ Association