Lambeth UNISON calls for boycott of 'apartheid' Israel
At its monthly meeting of representatives, the Branch called
for, "an immediate end to the slaughter of defenceless people and
the [ongoing] siege of Gaza." The Branch concluded that, "Israel is
an...apartheid state," and has advocated academic, economic and
cultural boycotts of Israel in an effort to delegitimise the
Occupation of Palestine, and build international and domestic
pressure against the state.
For over 6 decades Israel has carried out policies of ethnic
cleansing against the Palestinian people.1.5 million people live in
Gaza, which is now effectively open air prison. For years Israel
has blocked the transport of food, medicine and vital supplies
forcing the people of Gaza to live in inhumane conditions and the
vast majority of people are unemployed.
Palestinian medical sources say at least 1,300 Palestinians have
been killed and 5,500 injured as a result Israeli's latest military
offensive. The United Nations states that some 50,800 people are
now homeless and 400,000 are without running water. Staff in Gaza
report that many more people could die as medical equipment runs
out.
Nationally, UNISON has committed to send a donation of 10,000 to
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and Lambeth Branch is raising
its own donations locally. The Branch voted to affiliate with the
Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and to work towards submitting
an emergency motion to the UNISON National Delegate Conference in
July, demanding diplomatic sanctions and boycotts against Israel.
The Branch also resolved to build links with Palestinians, Israelis
and Egyptians who oppose the assault on Gaza and to send messages
of solidarity to those students at British universities who have
undertaken occupations demanding support from their institutions
for the Palestinian right to education.
Lambeth UNISON's International Officer, Gurmeet Khurana, stated:
"The British trade union movement played a crucial part in
denouncing and delegitimising the racist ideology of Apartheid in
South Africa, and now it must do the same for Israel. The only
peaceful solution is one brought about by political and economic
equality in the Middle East, and as such the policy of the Israeli
state in carrying out ethnic cleansing needs to be condemned
unequivocally."
Ends
Notes for Editors
1. For more information about Lambeth UNISON, visit: http://lambethunison.blogspot.com/
2. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) works for the health of
Palestinians (especially in conditions of occupation, displacement
or exile) based on principles of self-determination and social
justice: http://www.map-uk.org
3. BRICUP is an organisation of UK based academics, set up in
response to the Palestinian Call for Academic Boycott.: http://www.bricup.org.uk
4. Palestine Solidarity Campaign: http://www.palestinecampaign.org
Motion: Stop the killings in Palestine! End the siege
of Gaza!
Branch Notes:
This Branch deplores the attacks on the people of Palestine by
Israel and sends out a message of solidarity with our brothers and
sisters in Gaza. We support the calls for an immediate end to the
slaughter of defenceless people and an immediate end to the siege
of Gaza.
We recognise that the 1.5 million people of Gaza live in an
open air prison andthat for years Israel has blocked the transport
of food, medicine and vital supplies forcing the people of Gaza to
live in inhumane conditions and leaving the majority of people
unemployed.
We also recognise that Israel is a terrorist and apartheid
state, armed with F16 fighter jets, helicopter gunships and tanks,
that is attacking a largely impoverished and isolated people. For
over 6 decades it has carried out policies of ethnic cleansing
against the Palestinian people. We reject the lies that Hamas is to
blame for the current attacks by Israel and defend the right of the
people of Palestine to defend themselves against occupation.
We support and urge members to take part in demonstrations
that are taking place against these murderous attacks. We
congratulate UNISON members locally and nationally for supporting
protests to date and welcome UNISON’s decision to send a donation
of £10,000 to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). UNISON is urging
branches to donate funds, as medical staff in Gaza report that many
more people could die as medical equipment runs out. The main
hospital is close to collapse because of a lack of specialist
doctors and basic medical equipment, according to doctors working
there, while United Nations and aid agencies say that Gaza's 1.5
million residents are in urgent need of food and medical aid.
This Branch resolves to:
1. Affiliate to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC);
2. Make a donation from branch funds of £100 to MAP, and to
publicise to members how to make personal donations;
3. Support the meeting organised by PSC locally on 19 January
and publicise this to our members;
4. Instruct branch officers to submit an appropriately worded
emergency motion to the UNISON Greater London Regional Council, for
consideration as a motion to National Delegate Conference to demand
that the government take action against Israel including trade and
diplomatic sanctions, a cultural and economic boycott, an end to
arms
deals and to loans, aid or permission for the passage of US
arms shipments through the UK;
5. Instruct the Branch Committee to explore links
between Lambeth Council and companies trading with Israel in order
to inform future campaigning activity, and;
6. Make direct links to those Israelis, like the
courageous IDF refuseniks, and Palestinians, who oppose the attack
on Gaza and the occupation of Palestinians territories. Also make
direct links to Egyptian trade unions and organisations who oppose
the attack on Gaza and the occupation of Palestinians
territories.
This branch calls for:
1.
Immediate and unconditional cessation of Israeli bombing and
shelling of Gaza. Immediate and total withdrawal of the Israel
forces.
2. Fully
open the borders (with both Israel and Egypt) and end the long
siege of Gaza. Restoration of full supplies of food, fuel and
medical supplies. For the delivery of massive amounts of aid.
3.
Immediate access to journalists and TV crews in order to allow full
effects of the bombing and shelling and to allow the people to
speak to the world. Resist the spreading of pro-Israeli propaganda
in the Western media.
4.
Blockade the blockaders! For academic, economic and cultural
boycott of the state Israel imposed by the direct action of trade
unionists, students etc to end the occupation in Palestine and
Golan.
5.
Support those students in the UK undertaking occupation of their
campuses demanding that universities condemn the denial of the
Palestinian right to education by Israel. Mandate the Young
Members’ Officer to relay such solidarity to those occupations,
where they are ongoing, by 5pm today.
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