Return to Middle East menu
 
Press statement from Palestinian trade unions on Gaza & request to sign letter 

4 March 2008

Dear Colleagues

Please read the attached statement from the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions on the situation in Gaza in which they call for an international response.

“Israel’s collective punishment of the people of Gaza is a clear breach of international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention. It is, in effect, a war crime and Israel must be held to account. It is not sufficient for the International communities and the UN to express ‘concern’. The International Community and UN must take firm and immediate action to stop this catastrophe." Gaza needs action not talks to stop Israeli aggression.  (PGFTU 1st March 2008)

This appeal has gone to the international trade union movement.

I am writing to ask if you will also look at the attached letter from PSC and agree to sign it.  In view of the horrendous situation in Gaza there is a real need for Urgent Action and  I would ask that you contact the PSC Office if you are willing to sign the letter which will be sent to the major national newspapers and to the Government.  (See below for contact details).

There is also a hope to hand in a similar statement signed by trade union leaders, MPs and others at Downing Street.  The exact time and date of this is to be finalised but will be early this week.

I appreciate the pressures that are on everyone but the call from the PGFTU is unequivocal and I hope you would agree that it is essential to respond.

I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Yours sincerely

Bernard Regan

-- 
Bernard Regan   07973616142 PSC Trade Union Officer.
Sarah Colbourne 07971424296 PSC Chair
Betty Hunter    07763384841  PSC Gen Sec
 

Bernard Regan
PSC Trade Union Officer
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
PO Box BM PSA
London WC1N 3XX

To contact PSC Office:
Phone 020 7700 6192
Email: info@palestinecampaign.org 
Website: www.palestinecampaign.org/
 

Press Release

Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) condemns the destruction of the (workers) Folk House in Gaza by Israeli F16 Jets 

PGFTU – Gaza Calls for Urgent Action by International Trade Unions and ILO 

1 March 2008 
 

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, the poverty rate exceeds 80-% according to UNRWA statistics, the rate of unemployment in Gaza is more than 80% and the continued illegal siege of Gaza which has resulted 1.5 million people being denied food, fuel, electricity, essential medical care and freedom of movement.

The Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions was shocked by the savage barbarian raids by Israeli F16 jets which destroyed and demolish completely the PGFTU Folk house in Gaza city at midnight, Thursday, 28th February, 2008 by three heavy rockets.  The neighborhood houses and property were badly damaged and thirteen people were injured.  This house was constructed by LO-Norwegian funds. 

The situation in Gaza is war-like. Within the past 72 hours sixty five Palestinian were killed, one third of the victims were children in addition to more than one hundred eighty seven injuries. 

Israeli army incursions and jets raids didn't stop since Hamas has full control on Gaza. 

“Israel’s collective punishment of the people of Gaza is a clear breach of international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention.  It is, in effect, a war crime and Israel must be held to account.  It is not sufficient for the International communities and the UN to express ‘concern’.  The International Community and UN must take firm and immediate action to stop this catastrophe."  Gaza needs action not talks to stop Israeli aggression.
We call for an appropriate and effective response from the international trade unions and the ILO to put pressure on Israel military army to compensate PGFTU for the destruction of the Folk House in Gaza. 

Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions

Palestine.
 

Letter from Palestine Solidarity campaign 

Dear 

We are horrified at the escalating Israeli attacks on Gaza, the bombardment of a population under siege.   Since last Wednesday, over 90 Palestinians, including 19 children, one a two day old baby, have been killed by the Israeli Defence Force.  63 civilians died in their homes on Saturday as a result of bombing attacks by the Israeli air force.

In a clear threat of genocide and ethnic cleansing the Israeli deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai has said that the Palestinians are risking an invasion of Gaza and a 'shoah' (Hebrew for holocaust).  It is time for the international community to speak out against the policies of the Israeli government which are in open breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and international law. Their actions constitute a War Crime.

We are calling for an immediate end to this barbarity by the Government of Israel.  Peace will never be achieved through a policy of death and destruction.  Peace will only be achieved by the Israeli government stopping its brutal siege of Gaza, ending its illegal occupation and abiding by international law.
 

We are calling on the British Government and the international community to condemn these actions and act for peace and justice for the Palestinians.
 

Yours sincerely,
 

 


Return to top of page