Van:
european_trade_union_initiative@googlegroups.com [mailto:european_trade_union_initiative@googlegroups.com]
Namens ECCP Brussels
Verzonden: dinsdag 15 mei 2018 14:00
Aan: european trade union initiative
Onderwerp: [ETUI_PALESTINE ] European trade unions call on the EU to end its complicity in Israel's violations of Palestinian workers' rights.
Aan: european trade union initiative
Onderwerp: [ETUI_PALESTINE ] European trade unions call on the EU to end its complicity in Israel's violations of Palestinian workers' rights.
European trade unions call on the EU to
end its complicity in Israel's violations of Palestinian workers' rights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
European trade unionists are alarmed that
despite the clear injustice inflicted on the people of Palestine, the European
states, the European Union (EU) and representative institutions have failed to
fulfil their legal duty to hold Israel accountable for its grave violations of
international law. In particular, European trade unions are concerned about the
ways the European Union and European governments are complicit in Israel’s
violations of Palestinian workers’ rights.
“While the EU criticizes some
aspects of Israel’s policies, they continue to provide it with political,
economic and military support” – said Barend Claessens from ACV/CSC
Brussels, coordinator of European Trade Union Initiative
for Justice in Palestine.
A
research that will be presented on May 18th in Barcelona at the Second
Trade Union Seminar – Justice for Palestine! Ending European complicity in
Israel’s violations of Palestinian workers’ rights will
highlight complicity of the European Union, European governments and companies
in the occupation of Palestine and the ways it is undermining decent work and
violating Palestinian workers’ rights.
European Trade Union Initiative for Justice
in Palestine, a coalition of 34 European trade union organisations representing
6 million workers, is arranging a special report with recommendations towards
the European Institutions. According to trade unionists, Israel’s serious
breaches of international law trigger legal obligations for the EU, Israel’s
largest trade partner, and to its member states.
A call from European trade unions towards
the EU and European governments occurs at a time when a total of 108
Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers during 7 weeks of the Great
Return March protests at Gaza’s border with Israel, including eleven children,
two journalists, and two people with disabilities. Approximately 4,000 people
have also been injured, over 2,000 from live ammunition.
“The failure of the
international community to take action to ensure that Israel complies with
international law has allowed Israel to continue its countless attacks on
Palestinian civilians, including the recent killings of Palestinians in Gaza,
with complete impunity” –
said Saif
Abukeshek from Intersindical Alternativa de Catalunya,
a conference hosting union.
To find
out more about the European Trade Union Initiative for Justice in Palestine go
to the website here
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Barend Claessens (ACV/CSC Brussels)
Coordinator
+32 495285571 (English/Francais)
Saif Abukeshek (IAC)
+34 632170239
(Arabic/Spanish/Catalan)
--
