Trade Union Friends of Israel Report
Welcome to this TUC Congress 2008 special update. It has been a busy year for all involved with Trade Union Friends of Israel (TUFI) and the promotion of peace in the region.
TUFI has been involved in a number of activities to brief and inform trade unionists on developments, politically and industrially, in the Middle East and encourage unions to play an inclusive role in supporting their Israeli and Palestinian counterparts.
The region has seen some significant developments in the peace process on different fronts, with negotiations ongoing between the Israelis and Palestinians following the Annapolis conference. The ceasefire in Gaza has also eased the suffering on both sides and there is hope that talks between Israel and Syria could lead to a lasting peace settlement.
As reported in last year’s TUC Special Report, TUFI aims to get British trade unionists to lend support to their Israeli and Palestinian counterparts in order to promote trade union co- operation and understanding, and we have been busy pursuing this objective over the last year with some degree of success.
Histadrut (Israeli TUC) and the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) sign historic agreement
After several years of negotiations, the Histadrut and PGFTU finally signed an agreement in August 2008 to start official co-operation and mutual representation. The agreement includes the resolution to a long-running dispute over subscription payments between the two parties. This has been completely resolved and should now cease being used as a tool to divide the two organisations by outside agencies.
We believe this new mood of optimism should be built upon by the international trade union movement to support projects and development between Israeli and Palestinian trade unions.
Ofer Eini Visit
As part of the celebrations for Israel’s sixtieth anniversary, Ofer Eini, Chairman of the Histadrut, visited the UK where he had meetings with several trade union leaders. TUFI also held a large reception in the House of Lords to celebrate sixty years of Israeli trade unionism.
Delegation
In December 2007 TUFI took a large delegation to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories. Delegates met with fellow trade unionists, politicians and visited historical sites.
As a direct outcome of the delegation, the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) brought the leaders of the respective Israeli and Palestinian food workers’ unions to address their annual conference in Bridlington in June 2008.
TUFI is taking another delegation to the region in November 2008; please make sure your union is represented.
Boycotts of Israel
At TUFI we have made clear our opposition to calls to boycott Israel: it is divisive, in no way helps resolve the conflict and is damaging to both Palestinians and Israelis.
This year, unions have moved back from supporting a boycott and have played a more positive role; engaging with Israeli trade unions whilst supporting the Palestinians.
About Trade Union Friends of Israel (TUFI)
We aim to promote working towards a long and lasting peace settlement for both Palestinians and Israelis with a viable Palestine and a safe and secure Israel.
We do this by;
• Taking delegations of British trade unionists to meet with their Israeli and Palestinian counterparts
• Creating an environment where trade unionists can openly and honestly discuss issues affecting working people in the region
• Promoting support for the peace process through briefings and hosting of events in the UK
• Encouraging individual unions to play an active part in developing relationships with sister unions in the region
To keep up-to-date with all developments in the Middle East concerning trade unionism please sign up to our mailing list via our website: www.tufi.org.uk. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@tufi.org.uk.