Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary Grahame Smith, has signed up to a letter sent by Scottish politicians and community leaders to the Foreign Secretary and First Minister.
The STUC’s General Council will consider at length the deteriorating situation in Gaza at its General Council meeting on Wednesday 7 January 2009.
The STUC delegation to Palestine and Israel is planned for Sunday 1 March – Saturday 7 March 2009. The STUC will meet with the Palestine General Federation of Trades Unions and the Israeli trade union centre, Histadrut.
Full text of letter:
Dear The Rt Hon David Milliband,
We, the undersigned, are writing to express our disgust, condemnation and concern at the current attacks being carried out by Israel on the Gaza strip killing over 300 people – including women and children. There is little doubt that the number of civilian deaths will rise in the next few days and weeks as Israel shows no signs of stopping its offensive on the people of Gaza.
The situation is bleak with hospitals running out of medical supplies as the Israeli blockade continues to suffocate the people of Gaza. The region’s power and infrastructure networks are on the verge of collapse with over 85% of Gazans depending on UN food aid – which is at critically low levels.
We, the undersigned, call on you to do all you can in your power to pressure the Israeli Government to halt attacks on the Gazan people who are being collectively punished for the actions of a minority. While we believe that Israel has the right to defend itself and its civilians from rocket attacks it cannot be allowed to collectively punish, maim and kill innocent Palestinian civilians in the process.
In the past 48-hours we have heard from the Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, that the attacks will not be short and will become increasingly intense. We believe that a strong statement of condemnation, of Israel’s actions, must be forthcoming from world leaders and political institutions before the attacks escalate and further air attacks are intensified and ground troops sent to the region.
We urge you to do all you can to halt the killing of innocent lives and send a strong message of condemnation to the Israeli’s for their current attacks.
Signed:
Speech by Mary Senior Assistant Secretary, STUC in support of the Palestine demonstrations
STUC supports Palestine Demonstrations.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress, today (Saturday 3 January 2009) supported the demonstrations taking place across the UK in support of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Speaking at the rally in Glasgow city centre, STUC Assistant Secretary Mary Senior said:
“The fantastic turn out at today’s march and rally sends a clear message from Scotland to Israel to end the attacks on Palestine. Our strength in numbers today is vital to challenge the propaganda that has been coming out of Israel over the last week.”
“The STUC is absolutely appalled at the actions of Israel over the last week. The STUC has long supported the cause of the Palestinian people, and supports a peaceful two state solution for Palestine and Israel. The STUC is calling for an end to the violence, the bombing, the blockade and the occupation”.
“The STUC is currently considering the calls for a boycott of Israel. As part of our deliberations a delegation of ten Scottish trade unionists will be visiting Palestine and Israel in March this year. We will be speaking with the Palestinian trade unionists the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions, and with the Israeli trade union centre, Histadrut.
“The STUC recognises the strong voice for a boycott, and that this voice is getting stronger”.
“Violence only breeds violence.
“Gordon Brown, President Elect Obama, must listen to the voices of people in Scotland and across the world, and listen to the people of Palestine. We call for an end to the bombing, the blockades and the occupation. For justice for the Palestinians and an end to the violence in Gaza”.