As a union representing more than 10,000 Nurses and Licensed Healthcare Professionals, SEIU 121RN joins the chorus of calls for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza and Israel. In the span of 74 days, an enormous number of innocent civilians have already been killed, injured or displaced. The military operation in Gaza has included the indiscriminate bombing of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, medical offices and clinics. Hundreds of healthcare workers, no different than the members of our union, have lost their lives while trying to save their families, friends and neighbors.

As of this writing, 20,000 Palestinians—70% of them women and children—have been killed during the latest military operation. Nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed during the October 7th attack led by Hamas. While many of our members come from places steeped in violence, it is hard to collectively imagine the nightmare of the current conflict. The death count does not do justice to the scale of pain and anguish faced by those on the ground.

We also recognize that these are only the latest atrocities in a conflict that has lasted for decades—it is the sudden escalation of destruction which has captured global attention. On a daily basis, Palestinians suffer the indignities and economic oppression of occupation, while both Palestinians and Israelis lack safety and security. On both sides of the border, people overwhelmingly long for peace and justice.

Ours is a union of individuals who have dedicated their working lives to reducing harm, and we cannot remain silent while the atrocities of this conflict continue.

We therefore demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, with the full participation of the Israeli military and Hamas and any other aligned groups. We demand that all healthcare workers, humanitarian aid workers, and journalists are protected, as dictated by international law. We demand immediate access of humanitarian aid to areas ravaged by the bombing, and the restoration of food, water and electricity. We demand the unconditional return of hostages taken on October 7th, and access to these individuals by humanitarian aid organizations, as well as the return of innocent civilians arrested by the Israeli military prior to and in the aftermath of the attack. Furthermore, we demand that no military aid flow to Israel to further this conflict or the occupation.

We reject racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism in all forms, and we demand that our elected leaders, and leaders of government and educational institutions take these threats seriously. In addition, we demand that hospitals which employ our members refrain from any retaliation for political expression made on members’ own time, in accordance with hospitals’ policies and the law.

SEIU Local 121RN represents registered nurses and other healthcare professionals in California. This member-led organization is committed to supporting optimum working conditions that allow nurses to provide quality patient care and safety.