Irish Congress of Trade Unions Backs Gaza Director of UNWRA and Calls for Sanctions

6 Jan 2009

STATEMENT FROM PATRICIA McKEOWN, PRESIDENT ICTU

Speaking from Gaza today John Gang, Director on the UN Relief Agency in Gaza re-iterated the call for the immediate cessation of the Israeli military operation. He makes the profound point that in any other such situation around the globe civilians can flee from the conflict - in Gaza they cannot. Israel has barred international news media from Gaza, however his interview was broadcast on Al Jazeera.

In November 2007 John Ging received a delegation from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. He emphasized then that the people of Gaza where already facing a humanitarian crisis. He has repeatedly highlighted the growing crisis but with little or no response from world powers.

Congress repeats our call for immediate cessation, withdrawal of Israeli Occupation Forces and the lifting of the siege. We also strongly urge political and public support for the UN Emergency Appeal for humanitarian aid.

The international trade union movement (ITUC) has now made direct representations to the UN. In Brussels yesterday the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) stated that "a country that just a few weeks ago was extended a privileged relationship with the European Union must act responsibly or consequences should be drawn".

Until now the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has been the lone voice making direct representations to the EU. In October we called for the ending of the Euro-Med Agreement with Israel as a consequence of its failure to abide by the conditions on human rights. Today we welcome the fact that others are moving towards our position.

Israel has demonstrated that it will not abide by international opinion, international law or UN conventions and resolutions It leaves no option but the exercise of sanctions.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has come under repeated pressure from the Israeli Government and its supporters as a result of our strong policy on boycott and sanctions. Clearly the Israeli Government takes a different view of international opinion when it has economic consequences. We are pressing both the Irish and British Governments to act.

Ends

 

Contact: Patricia McKeown, President of Congress, 028 90 270190