SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa mourns the countless lives lost and communities destroyed between October 7th and today. Our members have lost family and friends in both Gaza and Israel.

Our Union represents more than 50,000 healthcare workers dedicated to healing and preserving life. We are appalled by the attack in Israel on October 7th and the subsequent loss of life of innocents in Gaza. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, including children and elderly people as well as healthcare workers and first responders. Healthcare workers continue to face devastating assaults, including mass destruction of healthcare facilities and infrastructure, while providing care to those in need.

As an organization that strives to “create a more just and humane society,” we condemn all forms of prejudice, antisemitism, Islamophobia, religious persecution, and terrorism at our workplaces and in our communities, and we believe that every human deserves to live in a safe, peaceful environment, free from violence.

Therefore, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa joins in solidarity with working families, labor unions and the international community to call for a ceasefire -- to include the immediate cessation of hostilities in the region, release of hostages, and safe access to health services for all, including protection of health care workers and facilities.

We call on President Joe Biden to join the international community in calling for an immediate ceasefire (including ending U.S. opposition to a United Nations ceasefire resolution), the negotiation of immediate and unconditional release of hostages, ensuring prompt delivery of humanitarian aid, guaranteeing access to healthcare, safeguarding the rights and safety of civilians and healthcare workers, and respecting all obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.