The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has today urged the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to do all in his power to put pressure on Israel to halt its attacks on the people of Gaza.
As the STUC’s General Council meets today and considers the crisis in Palestine, a plea to the Prime Minister expresses the outrage, condemnation and deep concern of the Scottish trade union movement at the current attacks on Gaza.
Speaking prior to the STUC meeting, STUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said:
“The STUC is absolutely appalled at the Israeli Government’s attacks on the people of Gaza. We were already facing a humanitarian disaster in Gaza, caused by Israel’s economic blockade on the region. The bloodshed, murder and injury now being inflicted on innocent people by Israel’s army is horrifying.
Mr Smith continued:
“As someone who prides himself on standing up for the vulnerable and the oppressed, the STUC is urging the Prime Minister to do all in his power to put pressure on the Israeli Government to end its attacks on the people of Gaza. The STUC is clear that the Israeli violence in Gaza and the killing of hundreds of innocent Palestinian people is out of all proportion to the attacks Israel is currently facing”.
The STUC has for some time been planning a delegation of Scottish trade unionists to Palestine and Israel, to meet with trade unionists from the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions, and the Israeli trade union centre Histadrut. The delegation is scheduled to take place from 1 – 7 March 2009. The delegation is a part of the STUC General Council’s consideration of the merits of calls for a boycott, sanctions and disinvestment of Israel until it complies with international law and agreed principals of human rights.
(The full text of the letter to the Prime Minister is attached below)
Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP Prime Minister
Dear Gordon,
On behalf of the Scottish Trades Union Congress I wish to express our outrage, condemnation, and deep concern at the current attacks being carried out by Israel on Gaza, which have killed over 500 Palestinian people, including women and children.
Given the ground incursion by Israeli troops into the densely populated area of Gaza, there is little doubt that the bloodshed and violence will continue and that the number of civilian deaths will only increase. 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 are deeply concerned at the economic blockade Israel has inflicted upon Gaza, the separation wall it has constructed, and its continuing occupation of Palestinian lands. The STUC is clear that the Israeli violence in Gaza and the killing of hundreds of innocent Palestinian people is out of all proportion to the attacks Israel is currently facing.
The STUC urges you to do all in your power to put pressure on the Israeli Government to halt its attacks on the people of Gaza. We believe that strong statements of condemnation must be forthcoming from world leaders and political institutions. As someone who prides himself in standing up for the vulnerable and oppressed, and who always promotes justice and fairness, we urge you to use your position to do what you can to end the killing of innocent people.
Yours sincerely,
Grahame Smith General Secretary
ENDS
For further information
Mary Senior tel 0141 337 8100