Israeli Official's Speech at ILO Conference Disrupted by Pro-Palestine Protests

An Israeli diplomat was unable to deliver his speech at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, due to persistent protests from delegates supporting Palestine. The disruption occurred during the address by Waleed Gadban, focusing on a vote in the General Assembly.

Delegates from various nations, along with representatives from labor unions, workers, and employers, vocally opposed Gadban's presence. They repeatedly banged on their tables, drowning out his attempts to speak. Notably, Turkey's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Vedat Isikhan, and Turkish labor union representatives actively participated in the protest.

Security personnel were called to manage the situation, warning some participants who displayed Palestinian flags and asking them to lower them. Other attendees showed solidarity by wearing scarves that read "Free Palestine." Despite repeated calls for order from the conference president, Juan Castillo, the protests continued, ultimately preventing Gadban from finishing his speech before the next speaker was called.

The ILO conference, which brings together government, employer, and worker representatives from 187 member states, aims to discuss critical issues shaping the world of work. The conference is scheduled to continue until June 12.