List of strikes in Palestine

Throughout the history of Palestine, a number of strikes, labour disputes, student strikes, hunger strikes, and other industrial actions have occurred.

Background

A labour strike is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to work. This can include wildcat strikes, which are done without union authorisation, and slowdown strikes, where workers reduce their productivity while still carrying out minimal working duties. It is usually a response to employee grievances, such as low pay or poor working conditions. Strikes can also occur to demonstrate solidarity with workers in other workplaces or pressure governments to change policies.

20th century

= 1930s =

1933 Palestine riots
Arab general strike, in 1936, part of the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine.

= 1940s =

= 1960s =

February 1969 Palestinian youth protests, series of protests including strikes and school strikes, led by youth in Palestine following a riot by schoolgirls in the Gaza Strip that clashed with Israeli troops.{{cite web|date=3 February 1969|title=Israelis Quell Riot by Arab Girls in Gaza; 90 Hurt|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/02/03/archives/israelis-quell-riot-by-arab-girls-in-gaza-90-hurt-israeli-troops.html|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=27 December 2024|work=The New York Times}}{{cite web|date=6 February 1969|title=Disorders Break out on West Bank As Students Attempt to Demonstrate Against Israel|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/disorders-break-out-on-west-bank-as-students-attempt-to-demonstrate-against-israel|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=27 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{cite web|date=14 February 1969|title=Civil Unrest on West Bank and East Jerusalem Declines Somewhat, Officials Report|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/civil-unrest-on-west-bank-and-east-jerusalem-declines-somewhat-officials-report|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=27 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{cite web|date=31 March 1969|title=Women's Resistance: January-March 1969|url=https://www.marxists.org/subject//israel-palestine/periodicals/facts-about-palestine-problem/facts-sup-march-69.pdf|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=27 December 2024|work=Arab Women's Information Committee}}

= 1970s =

August 1971 Gaza general strike, general strike in the Gaza Strip against Israeli bulldozing of homes in Gaza.{{cite web|date=17 August 1971|title=General Protest Strike in Gaza Strip Fizzles After Second Day|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/general-protest-strike-in-gaza-strip-fizzles-after-second-day|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=27 December 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{cite web|date=20 August 1971|title=Gaza a Monument to Wretchedness Caused in Mideast|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/08/20/archives/gaza-a-monument-to-wretchedness-caused-in-mideast-gaza-a-monument.html|author-last=Eder|author-first=Richard|access-date=27 December 2024|work=The New York Times}}
First annual general strike in Palestine to mark Land Day in March 1976.
1976 Israeli VAT protests, protests including strikes in Israel against introduction of value added tax and in Palestine against imposition of the tax in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.{{cite web|date=6 August 1976|title=West Bank Anti-vat Strike|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/west-bank-anti-vat-strike|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=14 November 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{cite web|date=16 December 1976|title=Work and Commerce In West Bank Halted By Arab Tax Strike|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/12/16/archives/work-and-commerce-in-west-bank-halted-by-arab-tax-strike.html|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=14 November 2024|work=The New York Times}}{{cite web|date=17 August 1976|title=Israeli Grocers Strike Against Vat|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/israeli-grocers-strike-against-vat|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=14 November 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}

= 1980s =

March 1980 West Bank general strike, in protest against the Israeli government's move to allow Israeli settlement in the city of Hebron.{{cite web|date=26 March 1980|title=Arab General Strike on West Bank is Only Partially Successful|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/arab-general-strike-on-west-bank-is-only-partially-successful|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=4 October 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}
June 1980 West Bank general strike, in protest against a Jewish Underground bombing that injured Mayor of Nablus Bassam Shakaa and Mayor Ramallah Karim Khalaf.{{cite web|date=4 June 1980|title=Strikes in East Jerusalem, West Bank|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/strikes-in-east-jerusalem-west-bank|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=4 October 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{cite web|date=4 June 1980|title=West Bank Hit by Protest Strike After the Attack on Arab Mayors; Another Plot Reportedly Foiled West Bank Hit by Strike Protesting Attack on Mayors|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/06/04/archives/west-bank-hit-by-protest-strike-after-the-attack-on-arab-mayors.html|author-last=Shipler|author-first=David K.|access-date=4 October 2024|work=The New York Times}}
1980–81 West Bank teachers strike, by Israeli-employed Palestinian teachers in the West Bank demanding pay raises to match their salaries with the salaries of teachers in Israel.{{cite web|date=16 March 1981|title=West Bank teachers return to work|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/03/16/West-Bank-teachers-return-to-work/6600353566800/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=4 October 2024|work=UPI}}
1981 Birzeit University strike, strike by students at Birzeit University in the West Bank in protest against Israeli forces' harassment of students.{{cite news|date=17 June 1981|title=Students Strike at W. Bank University|url=|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}
December 1981 Gaza general strike, general strike in the Gaza Strip in response to Israeli plans to re-organise the Military Governorate overseeing the occupation.{{cite web|date=10 December 1981|title=Unrest Spreading in Gaza, West Bank|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/unrest-spreading-in-gaza-west-bank|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=6 October 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{cite web|date=14 December 1981|title=Army breaks Gaza strike|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811214.2.57.4|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=13 November 2024|work=The Press}}{{cite web|date=6 December 1981|title=Around the World; Gaza City Begins Strike Over Tax on Doctors|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/06/world/around-the-world-gaza-city-begins-strike-over-tax-on-doctors.html|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=13 November 2024|work=The New York Times}}
March 1982 West Bank general strike, general strike in the West Bank following the Israeli occupation government's dismissal of elected Palestinian nationalist mayors in the West Bank.{{cite web|date=23 March 1982|title=General Strike Paralyzes West Bank|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/general-strike-paralyzes-west-bank|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=7 October 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{cite news|date=26 March 1982|title=Israel Fires 2 Mayors in West Bank|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1982/03/26/israel-fires-2-mayors-in-west-bank/4a0a4a47-3d85-4977-ae89-93879b290d13/|author-last=Claiborne|author-first=William|access-date=7 October 2024|newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite news|date=27 March 1982|title=Israeli Campaign Marks Turning Point in West Bank Relations|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1982/03/28/israeli-campaign-marks-turning-point-in-west-bank-relations/a48b189d-0b91-4b56-998d-6e31439b3f83/|author-last=Claiborne|author-first=William|access-date=7 October 2024|newspaper=The Washington Post}}
One-day general strike in April 1982 across 15 Muslim-majority countries called by King Khalid of Saudi Arabia after an Israeli army reservist killed two in an attack on the Dome of the Rock.{{cite web|date=15 April 1982|title=MOSLEMS OBSERVE A GENERAL STRIKE|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/15/world/moslems-observe-a-general-strike.html|author-last=Kifner|author-first=John|access-date=7 October 2024|work=The New York Times}}{{cite web|date=19 April 1982|title=Middle East: Attack at the Dome of the Rock|url=https://time.com/archive/6883727/middle-east-attack-at-the-dome-of-the-rock/|author-last=Smith|author-first=William E.|access-date=7 October 2024|work=Time Magazine}}
1982 Bethlehem University strike, by students at Bethlehem University in the West Bank following the Israeli military's move to deport eight British and American teachers who refused to sign pledges saying they would not "give any services directly or indirectly which will help or support the so-called Palestine Liberation Organization or any other hostile organization."{{cite web|date=7 December 1982|title=Arab Students at Bethlehem University Go on Strike|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/arab-students-at-bethlehem-university-go-on-strike|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=7 October 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{cite web|date=6 November 1982|title=ISRAEL DEPORTS BRITON WHO REFUSED TO SIGN PLEDGE ON P.L.O.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/11/06/world/israel-deports-briton-who-refused-to-sign-pledge-on-plo.html|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=7 October 2024|work=The New York Times}}
1984 Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike, 10-day hunger strike by Palestinians imprisoned by Israel in Al-Junaid Prison in Nablus over prison conditions.{{cite web|date=5 October 1984|title=Inmates on West Bank Give Up Hunger Strike|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/05/world/inmates-on-west-bank-give-up-hunger-strike.html|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=9 October 2024|work=The New York Times}}{{cite web|date=1 May 2019|title=Beds, kettles and books: How hunger strikes changed the cells of Palestinian prisoners|url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/beds-kettles-and-books-how-hunger-strikes-changed-cells-palestinian-prisoners|author-last=Abu Sneineh|author-first=Mustafa|access-date=9 October 2024|work=Middle East Eye}}{{cite web|date=5 October 1984|title=Arab General Strike in East Jerusalem|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/arab-general-strike-in-east-jerusalem|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=9 October 2024|work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}
1986 Birzeit University strike, 2-month strike by Birzeit University faculty over wage cuts.{{cite web|date=1 September 1986|title=Palestinian Universities under Occupation, June to August 1986|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2537026|author-last=Johnson|author-first=Penny|access-date=9 December 2024|work=Journal of Palestine Studies}}
December 1986 West Bank general strike, general strike in the West Bank after two Birzeit University students were killed by Israeli forces while protesting a roadblock on campus.{{cite web|date=14 December 1986|title=THE WORLD; West Bank Arabs Protest Shootings|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/14/weekinreview/the-world-west-bank-arabs-protest-shootings.html|author-last=Clarity|author-first=James F.|access-date=9 December 2024|work=The New York Times}}
February 1987 Palestinian unrest, including strikes, after Israeli soldiers used live ammunition to disperse a demonstration held at the Balata Camp.
First Intifada, including strikes, against the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Beit Sahour tax strike, tax strike by Beit Sahour residents in 1988 and 1989, part of the First Intifada.

= 1990s =

1992 Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike, hunger strike by Palestinians imprisoned by Israel demanding improved prison conditions.
1995 Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike, hunger strike by Palestinians imprisoned by Israel demanding the release of political prisoners.{{cite web|date=28 June 1995|title=PALESTINE-ISRAEL: Penitent Husseini Joins Prisoners' Hunger Strike|url=https://www.ipsnews.net/1995/06/palestine-israel-penitent-husseini-joins-prisoners-hunger-strike/|author-last=Horan|author-first=Deborah|access-date=13 November 2024|work=Inter Press Service}}{{cite web|date=30 June 1995|title=CHRONOLOGICAL REVIEW OF EVENTS RELATING TO THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE: June 1995|url=https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-194896/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=13 November 2024|work=United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine}}{{cite web|date=1995|title=Fifteen Days of Hunger Strike|url=https://www.palestineposterproject.org/posters/fifteen-days-hunger-strike|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=13 November 2024|work=The Palestine Poster Project Archives}}
March 1997 Palestinian general strike, general strike in Palestine over the Israeli government's approval of settlements on Jabal Abu Ghneim.{{cite web|date=4 March 1997|title=Palestinians Strike Over Israeli Building Plan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/04/world/palestinians-strike-over-israeli-building-plan.html|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=14 November 2024|work=The New York Times}}
1997 Palestinian teachers' strike, 3-week strike over wages.{{cite news|date=27 April 1997|title=PLO LEADER TURNS TABLES TO BREAK TEACHERS' STRIKE|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1997/04/28/plo-leader-turns-tables-to-break-teachers-strike/719755c1-a064-4e1a-87e1-7dccc7d0f9c5/|author-last=Gellman|author-first=Barton|access-date=14 November 2024|newspaper=The Washington Post}}

21st century

= 2000s =

2006 Palestinian teachers' strike, 2-month strike by teachers over unpaid wages.{{cite web|date=6 November 2006|title=Palestinian teachers end strike|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2006/11/6/palestinian-teachers-end-strike|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=13 November 2024|work=Al Jazeera}}{{cite web|date=3 September 2006|title=Palestinian Teachers Begin New School Year on Strike|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/world/middleeast/03mideast.html|author-last=Myre|author-first=Greg|access-date=13 November 2024|work=The New York Times}}{{cite web|date=5 September 2006|title=Six months without pay sparks teachers' strike in Gaza and West Bank – UNICEF press release|url=https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-196251/|author-last=Bonham Carter|author-first=Rachel|access-date=13 November 2024|work=United Nations Information System on the Question of Palestine}}
2007 Gaza medical strike, strike by medical workers in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip.{{cite web|date=13 September 2007|title=OPT: Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report 13 Sep 2007|url=https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/israel/opt-gaza-humanitarian-situation-report-13-sep-2007|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=27 December 2024|work=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs}}{{cite web|date=24 October 2007|title=Patients caught up in middle of Fatah and Hamas tug of war|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/oct/24/israel1|author-last=Chassay|author-first=Clancy|access-date=27 December 2024|work=The Guardian}}

= 2010s =

2011–2012 Palestinian protests, including strikes.
2013–14 UNRWA strike, over 2-month strike by UNRWA staff over wages.{{cite web|date=15 January 2014|title=UN strike paralyses West Bank refugee camps|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2014/1/15/un-strike-paralyses-west-bank-refugee-camps|author-last=Hatuqa|author-first=Dalia|access-date=27 December 2024|work=Al Jazeera}}{{cite web|date=6 February 2014|url=https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/unrwa-staff-union-strike-west-bank-ends|title=UNRWA Staff Union Strike in West Bank Ends|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=27 December 2024|work=UNRWA}}
2014 Zarfati Garage strike, strike by Palestinian workers at the Zarfati Garage in the Israeli settlement of Mishor Adumim over the right to unionise.{{cite web|date=1 June 2016|title=The Struggle for Palestinian Workers' Rights in Israeli Settlements: The Case of Maan v. Zarfati Garage|url=https://www.palestine-studies.org/en/node/1651520|author-last=Morton-Jerome|author-first=Ethan|access-date=27 December 2024|work=Institute for Palestine Studies}}{{cite web|date=8 April 2016|title=A win for labor rights of Palestinians working in Israeli settlements|url=https://www.972mag.com/a-win-for-labor-rights-of-palestinians-working-in-israeli-settlements/|author-last=Matar|author-first=Haggai|access-date=27 December 2024|work=+972 Magazine}}
2017 Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike{{cite web|date=10 May 2017|title=Why are Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike?|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/5/10/why-are-palestinian-prisoners-on-hunger-strike|author-last=Baroud|author-first=Ramzy|access-date=27 December 2024|work=Al Jazeera}}{{cite web|date=27 April 2017|title=Palestinians hold general strike in support of hunger-striking prisoners|url=https://www.972mag.com/palestinians-hold-general-strike-in-support-of-hunger-striking-prisoners/|author-last=Schaeffer Omer-Man|author-first=Michael|access-date=27 December 2024|work=+972 Magazine}}

= 2020s =

2023 Palestinian teachers strike;{{cite web|date=15 April 2023|title=EU calls for 'immediate solution' to Palestine teachers strike|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230415-eu-calls-for-immediate-solution-to-palestine-teachers-strike/|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=11 May 2023|work=The Middle East Monitor}}{{cite web|date=29 March 2023|title=Palestinian teachers' strike grows, reflecting deep crisis|url=https://apnews.com/article/west-bank-teachers-strike-protest-palestinian-schools-a8659ed0fdc2b83be66feb574cd79e0e|author-last=Debre|author-first=Isabel|access-date=11 May 2023|work=AP News}}