International relations - Working for the workers of Israel

Since its founding in 1920, the Histadrut has played an active and influential role in the global trade union movement. In an increasingly interconnected global economy, international cooperation is a vital pillar of worker protection, social justice, and working-class empowerment – because we are stronger together.

The Histadrut represents Israeli workers across key global labour federations while cultivating bilateral partnerships founded on shared values, historical responsibility, and practical solidarity.

We operate under a clear mission: to ensure that Israeli workers and the local labour movement stay at the forefront of evolving international labour standards, benchmark best practices, and actively advocate for their implementation locally. From time to time, our global presence is a vital shield: when necessary, the Histadrut steps up to protect Israeli workers and the Israeli economy from attempts at sanctions, boycotts, and discriminatory restrictions that ultimately harm working families on the ground.

1. Global multilateral engagement:

The Histadrut represents Israeli workers within the world’s primary international labour and economic bodies:

• International Labour Organisation (ILO): As a specialised agency of the United Nations, the ILO establishes global labour standards, promotes fair working conditions, and enforces fundamental rights at work. The Histadrut actively participates in ongoing discussions and research on key labour topics, and in the annual International Labour Conferences in Geneva, with Director General of the International Relations Division, Peter Lerner, serving as the Histadrut member of the ILO Governing Body.
• Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC): Through TUAC, the Histadrut brings worker perspectives directly to OECD policymaking bodies, advocating for fair wage growth, safe working environments, collective bargaining rights, and equitable transitions amidst technological and climate changes.

2. Engagement and membership in the global trade union movement

Histadrut affiliates maintain ongoing relations and represent workers of Israel with Global Union Federations, holding titular positions in several GUFs and participating in congresses, conferences, and professional seminars.

• International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC & ITUC-AP): Representing over 200 million workers worldwide, the ITUC is the world’s largest trade union umbrella. Histadrut leadership holds prominent governance roles:
  • Arnon Bar-David – Vice President of the ITUC
  • Avital Shapira-Shabirow – Titular of the Executive Committee ITUC, and Woman’s Committee of the ITUC, Titular of the Executive Committee ITUC-AP, and Woman’s Committee of the ITUC-AP.
  • Adi Marcus – Youth Committee Representative (ITUC-AP)

3. Deep historical and strategic bilateral partnerships

Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB)

The Histadrut and the DGB (Germany’s trade union confederation) share a unique bond that predates official diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany. Founded on Germany’s historic responsibility for the Shoah, this relationship has evolved into a vibrant, forward-looking partnership:

• Annual Delegation exchanges: Young union activists from Israel and Germany participate in reciprocal educational exchanges each year, promoting a shared understanding of workers’ rights, modern society, and the memory of their shared history.
• Regional and professional exchanges: Direct partnerships between Histadrut districts, unions and divisions and DGB equivalents facilitate shared learning on industrial policy, worker rights, and social welfare.

United Kingdom & Australia: BITUD & AILD

The Histadrut maintains active solidarity programs with the British-Israel Trade Union Dialogue (BITUD) and the Australia-Israel Labour Dialogue (AILD). Via these partnerships, we organise annual study missions that connect trade unionists across the UK, Australia, and Israel to exchange strategies and views on labour organisation and workplace rights. As well as encouraging the trade union movement to play a positive role in improving the lives of both Palestinians and Israeli workers, promoting a realistic two-state solution, and advocating for constructive labour diplomacy over boycotts and isolation.

New partnership with OPZZ

In July 2026, the Histadrut signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding in Warsaw with the All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ). This agreement establishes a long-term framework for cooperation focused on protecting migrant workers, Navigating Technological Change, combating discrimination and xenophobia, and preserving shared heritage.

4. Protection and solidarity with Palestinian workers

The Histadrut has been dedicated to safeguarding the rights of Palestinian workers employed in Israel.

• Dispute resolution initiative: The Histadrut hosts joint grievance committees that resolve thousands of individual labour disputes each year, enforce back-pay claims, ensure fair termination procedures, and ensure workplace safety compliance.
• Legal protections and rights education: The Histadrut translates collective agreements into Arabic not only for its local members, but also for Palestinian workers who may be covered. In the past, the Histadrut conducted vocational and occupational safety training in Arabic for Palestinian workers who were employed in Israel.