National Nurses United (NNU), the largest union of registered nurses in the United States, today stands with Christian “Chris” Smalls, the American labor leader beaten and detained by Israeli authorities, and celebrates his release from Israeli detention. 

On Saturday, Amazon Labor Union (ALU) founder Smalls was illegally detained by the Israeli Defense Forces aboard the Handala, an aid ship operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition that was carrying baby formula, food, and medical supplies for the people of Gaza. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced that Smalls, the only Black person in the humanitarian delegation, was beaten and choked by Israeli authorities in a show of force not used against other detained activists.  

Smalls, along with a delegation of 21 humanitarians and journalists, embarked on the Handala to deliver desperately needed humanitarian supplies to Gaza — an act of care, compassion, and international solidarity that resonates deeply with our values as nurses and trade unionists.  

In Gaza, at least 60,000 people are dead, including over 15,000 children. Gaza’s health care system has been decimated and over 1,400 health care workers have been killed, the highest number in any recent conflict zone. Over 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces while seeking food at aid distribution sites, and the 2.1 million people of Gaza face famine after Israel’s months-long blockade on food and fuel. As Israel’s military assault continues, the need for aid in Gaza is more critical than ever. Humanitarian efforts must be empowered to help, and aid must reach the people of Gaza immediately.

A growing number of scholars, U.N. officials, and human rights organizations agree that Israel’s actions amount to genocide. In a recent report, respected Israeli human rights group B’Tselem said that the “horrific outcomes” of Israel’s actions “leads to the unequivocal conclusion that Israel is taking co-ordinated action to intentionally destroy Palestinian society in the Gaza strip.”

NNU has unequivocally condemned the atrocities perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023 and continues to call for the release of all hostages. But Israel’s collective punishment of millions of Palestinians and destruction of Gaza over nearly 22 months is a horrific crime against humanity.  

NNU celebrates the release of Smalls and other detained activists, and we renew our call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We call for an end to Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid to avert imminent mass starvation. And we echo the call of the National Labor Network for Ceasefire — a coalition representing over 9 million union members — for the U.S. government to immediately halt military aid to Israel.  

As the largest nurses union in the United States today, NNU represents more than 225,000 nurses across the country and includes affiliates California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, Minnesota Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, D.C. Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.