From: Palestine Solidarity Campaign NEWS
To: info@al-awda.org
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 8:14 AM
Subject: PSC Press Release: TUC calls for justice for the Palestinian people
News release
For immediate release
PSC press release: TUC calls for justice for the Palestinian people
The Trade Union Congress meeting at Brighton, England passed a motion (Motion 74, Composite 16 Palestine) which clearly expresses its support for the rights of the Palestinian people to an independent Palestinian state, for the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homeland, for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from all occupied territories and for the removal of the illegally constructed ‘apartheid wall’.
Ruth Winters, President of the Fire Brigades Union, moving the motion condemned the Labour Government for its failure to act to bring justice to the Palestinian people and condemned Israel for its “state terrorism” against the Palestinian people especially in Gaza.
Ruth called on unions to affiliate to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. “I’m tired of debating the same issues – its time for action in support of the Palestinian people,” she said.
Nine speakers, many from the largest trade unions in Britain, contributed to the debate echoing the same concerns.
Rick Daley of the Transport and Salaried Staff Association said that the Israeli army regarded themselves as “untouchable” and above any criticism. He said that for many in the media the “state sponsored murder of Palestinians seems to be OK.”
Bernard Roome of the Communications Workers Union echoed many of these points and said that the United States does not want “stability” in the Middle East but rather “subservience”. He condemned the Israeli army action of “taking out Palestinian communications assets” and he reminded the Congress that inside these “assets” were fellow Palestinian workers and everyone needed to remember that.
Keith Sonnet, Deputy General Secretary of UNISON which represents over one million workers, condemned the British Government’s failure to call for a ceasefire in Lebanon and the double standards they applied when looking at United Nations resolutions that apply to Israel.
He called for a boycott of Israel because of their unacceptable actions, for an end to British arms trade with the country and for an end to Israel’s favoured nation status with the European Union.
Maggie Wright, a delegate for the Transport and General Workers Union and a shop steward in car factory called for the building of links with Palestinian workers and described actions that she is involved in building a library for Palestinian children.
Other speakers compared Israeli actions to those of the Apartheid regime in South Africa. They called on the British government to end its “even-handed” approach because there can be no equal sign between the oppressor and the oppressed. “It is now time for the British trade union movement to step forward and campaign for Justice for the Palestinian people”.
– ends –
Further information:
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
020 7700 6192
info@palestinecampaign.org
Notes to Editors:
The full motion can be read here:
http://www.palestinecampaign.org/trade_unions.asp
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) aims to raise public awareness about the occupation of Palestine and the struggle of the Palestinian people. PSC seek to bring pressure on both the British and Israeli government to bring their policies in line with international law. PSC is an independent, non-governmental and non-party political organisation with members from communities across Britain.
For latest news and updates please see www.palestinecampaign.org
