Trade Union Friends of Israeltag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://12008-10-08T15:30:41ZMovable Type 3.36TUFI Monthly Update: Octobertag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.162008-10-08T15:27:06Z2008-10-08T15:30:41ZIsraeli Industrial News: National Labour Tribunal orders port employees back to work International Trade Union News: Carpenters criticise fellow unions on Israel Israeli Industrial News: Tel Aviv Stock Exchange reaches agreement with workers Israeli Industrial News: Disruptions at Ben-Gurion as...Israeli Industrial News: National Labour Tribunal orders port employees back to work
International Trade Union News: Carpenters criticise fellow unions on Israel
Israeli Industrial News: Tel Aviv Stock Exchange reaches agreement with workers
Israeli Industrial News: Disruptions at Ben-Gurion as ground staff strike
Israeli Industrial News: Israeli journalists propose forum to confront crisis facing Israeli and Palestinian media staff
British Trade Union News: Brendan Barber praises Histadrtu/PGFTU agreement
Israeli affairs: Livni wins Israel party primary
Middle East Peace Process: Olmert says Israel has to return occupied lands to achieve peace
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Israeli Industrial News: National Labour Tribunal orders port employees back to work
Israel’s National Labour Tribunal ordered all Israel's port employees to return to full capacity work on 9 September. The decision was made following labour strikes launched on 25 August to protest against a new clause, passed by Israel’s cabinet, which would allow the use of private contractors in Israeli ports. To settle the long-running dispute, the court gave the Israeli government, the Histadrut (Israeli TUC) and private employees three weeks to negotiate the disagreements between the parties, but as yet no agreement has been signed.
Data released by the Israeli Manufacturers Association has shown that the eight days of disrupted work at the ports cost £160 million due to slowed loading and unloading activities, stranded ships and vessels leaving without any export goods.
International Trade Union News: Carpenters criticise fellow unions on Israel
The Canadian Council of Carpenters unanimously endorsed a resolution on 8 September rejecting descriptions of Israel as an apartheid state while calling for an end to threats of boycott and divestment. The union, which represents 60,000 workers throughout Canada, also explicitly criticised other trade unions that have attempted “to undermine the legitimacy of Israel’s democracy.”
Ucal Powell, president of the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario said: “Unlike many neighbouring countries, Israel has an active trade union movement that participates freely in Israeli society… and supporting a boycott or sanctions against Israel risks reinforcing terrorist groups and does little to encourage the well-being of workers in the region.”
Israeli Industrial News: Tel Aviv Stock Exchange reaches agreement with workers
The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) struck an agreement with its employees on 11 September, putting an end to months of negotiations and shortened trading sessions.
Under the terms of the agreement, employees will receive an annual wage increase of 4.6 percent over the next three years. In addition, the TASE management agreed to permanently hire 30 of its contracted workers. The TASE currently has around 250 employees, 100 of which are contractors.
Israeli Industrial News: Disruptions at Ben-Gurion as ground staff strike
More than 20 flights were cancelled or delayed on 13 September when employees of the ground services company Aerohandling initiated a labour slowdown at Ben-Gurion International Airport to protest against working conditions. Employees say Aerohandling is not paying them for holidays or overtime, as required by law, and they are forced to work 14 to 15 hour shifts, sometimes for 10 consecutive days.
The current labour protests began in June 2008 when 64 flight attendants and ground service operators lodged a formal complaint with the Histadrut.
Israeli Industrial News: Jerusalem journalists propose forum to confront crisis facing Israeli and Palestinian media staff
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have spoken out against restrictions on freedom of movement facing reporters in Palestine and have proposed a joint forum with Palestinian colleagues to deal with a range of problems facing media and journalists in the region. At the meeting on 18 September, held in Jerusalem, they also suggested setting up a hotline to help journalists in trouble.
"This would be a major step forward for journalists," said General Secretary of the IFJ, Aidan White. "Joint action by Israeli and Palestinian journalists to tackle problems both groups face - such as restrictions on freedom of movement - will strengthen efforts to remove obstacles to the exercise of journalism."
British Trade Union News: Brendan Barber praises Histadrtu/PGFTU agreement at TUC Congress
The message of the landmark agreement between the Histadrut (Israeli TUC) and the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) quickly spread through the TUC Congress, which was held at the beginning of September. Brendan Barber, in his opening speech to conference, congratulated Guy Ryder of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) for mediating between the two federations and praised them for coming together, despite all the difficulties. He said he hoped the agreement would “carve a path that political leaders could now follow”.
The importance of the agreement was reaffirmed by Avital Shapira-Shabirow, head of the Histadrut’s International Department, at TUFI’s TUC fringe event. Mrs Shapira-Shabirow, one of the key representatives during the negotiations, told the gathering of over 70 delegates that the agreement would help Palestinian workers and improve their day-to-day lives, have positive repercussions for the wider ongoing peace process and “pave the way for continuous co-operation”. She said, categorically, that all financial issues between the Histadrut and the PGFTU had been settled with nearly £2 million transferred to the PGFTU in July 2008.
Israeli affairs: Livni wins Israel party primary
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni won the leadership of the governing Kadima party on 17 September, putting her on track to succeed Ehud Olmert as prime minister. Ms Livni beat Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz by just 431 votes, 1.1%.
In her victory speech, Ms Livni announced that she wanted to form a new cabinet "as quickly as possible in the face of the serious threats" facing Israel. She has until 29 October to do so, during which time Mr Olmert will remain prime minister. If she can form a fresh governing coalition Ms Livni will become Israel's first woman prime minister since Golda Meir stepped down in 1974.
Ms Livni has been the chief negotiator during the on-going peace process talks with the Palestinian Authority and has promised that the peace talks will not stall while she tries to form a new coalition government.
Middle East Peace Process: Olmert says Israel has to return occupied lands to achieve peace
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, said his country would have to withdraw from "almost all" the land it captured in the 1967 war and divide Jerusalem in order to agree long-awaited peace deals with the Palestinians and Syria. His comments came just days after his resignation. He said: "We have to reach an agreement with the Palestinians, the meaning of which is that in practice we will withdraw from almost all the territories, if not all the territories. We will leave a percentage of these territories in our hands, but will have to give the Palestinians a similar percentage, because without that there will be no peace."
On Syria, Olmert said his government began secret talks in February 2007 and that he believed Israel would have to give up the Golan Heights in return for Damascus ending its close relationship with Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas.
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TUFI TUC 2008 Fringe Eventtag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.152008-09-16T13:09:40Z2008-09-17T16:39:11ZThe message of the landmark agreement between the Histadrut (Israeli TUC) and the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) quickly spread through the TUC Congress last week. Brendan Barber, in his opening speech to conference, congratulated Guy Ryder of...
all financial issues between the Histadrut and the PGFTU had been settled with nearly £2 million transferred to the PGFTU in July 2008. ]]>
ANNUAL FRINGE MEETING: TUC CONGRESS 2008
“Why trade union cooperation is vital to the peace process and prosperity”
Guest speakers included:
His Excellency Ron Prosor, Israeli Ambassador
Owen Tudor, Head of International Relations, TUC
Avital Shapira-Shabirow, Head of International Department, The Histadrut (Israeli TUC)
Roger Lyons, Chair, Trade Union Friends of Israel
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Historic Agreement for Israeli and Palestinian Trade Union Co-operationtag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.142008-09-05T10:01:30Z2008-09-05T10:06:22ZHistadrut-PGFTU Relationship In a landmark move, the Histadrut (Israeli TUC) and the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) signed an agreement in August 2008 to base future relations on negotiation, dialogue and joint initiatives to advance “fraternity and co-existence”....
Histadrut-PGFTU Relationship
In a landmark move, the Histadrut (Israeli TUC) and the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) signed an agreement in August 2008 to base future relations on negotiation, dialogue and joint initiatives to advance “fraternity and co-existence”.
The agreement, negotiated under the auspices of Guy Ryder, the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), is based on the terms of an initial 1995 agreement that collapsed due to the failed peace talks between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority in late 2000 and the subsequent outbreak of the Second Intifada. ]]>
The 1995 Agreement
Initial collaboration between the two federations started in 1993 after the signing of the Oslo Accords. In 1995, in a key step forward, the Histadrut and the PGFTU agreed that the Histadrut would provide legal representation to Palestinians working for Israeli employers and the PGFTU would receive 50 percent of all union representation fees from Palestinian employees working in Israel.
When the arrangement froze due to political and security conditions, major differences ensued between the two parties as to how much money the Histadrut still owed the PGFTU. This became increasingly difficult to evaluate over time as the number of Palestinians working in Israel significantly dropped during this volatile period.
Justification for Boycotts
A number of critics of Israel within the trade union movement, especially in the UK and Ireland, emphasised the disagreement and attempted to stir up trouble between the Histadrut and the PGFTU; repeatedly using it as a justification for promoting trade union boycotts, disinvestment and sanctions against Israel. However, throughout even the most difficult times, the two organisations continued to have dialogue and the Histadrut continued to help Palestinian workers attain permits.
Ofer Eini, Chairman of the Histadrut, said during his last visit to the UK in May 2008 that boycotts “would certainly cause severe damage to Palestinian workers who are employed by Israeli employers, and would create unnecessary tension between the Histadrut and the PGFTU”. He reiterated that neither the PGFTU, nor the Palestinian Authority, had ever called for a boycott.
New PGFTU/Histadrut Cooperation
Against the backdrop of improved conditions between Israel and the Palestinian Authority - with the success of the Annapolis summit - better cooperation between the Histadrut and the PGFTU has followed.
At the Histadrut’s 2007 Annual Congress, the PGFTU was officially represented and the delegation present affirmed its commitment to maintain and extend constructive relations.
Histadrut Petitions High Court
An example of this cooperation was evident in October 2007 when the Histadrut successfully petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice for Israeli labour law to be applied in the occupied territories, something they were previously denied. Nine judges ruled that Palestinians working for Israeli employers in West Bank settlements should be given the same work benefits provided by Israeli law. The ruling set an important precedent that benefits thousands of Palestinians working for Israelis and Israeli companies throughout the West Bank.
Israeli/Palestinian Transport Union Agreement
In another programme of joint cooperation, over 20 Israeli and Palestinian transport union presentatives signed a number of collaborative agreements at a bilateral meeting organised by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) in June 2007.
The Histadrut and the PGFTU continue to meet under the auspices of the ITF. At the latest meeting, held on the 6-7 February 2008, both parties agreed to facilitate the passage of professional drivers at checkpoints and road blocks in the West Bank.
Bright Future
Cooperation between the PGFTU and the Histadrut is now better than ever. The new August 2008 agreement, negotiated under the umbrella of the ITUC, should defend the rights of Palestinian workers; lead to improvement in their day-to-day lives and pave the way for continuous cooperation. All financial issues have been settled and, as well as providing Palestinian workers with trade union services and representation fees, the new agreement encourages participation in educational and vocational training workshops. It is truly a significant event for trade unionists in the region and something which could have positive repercussions for the ongoing peace process.
Speaking of the agreement, Shaher Sae’d, the PGFTU General Secretary said it:
“removes a key obstacle to future cooperation and the full respect of the rights of Palestinian Workers.”
And Ofer Eini said the outcome would:
“help lay the foundations for future cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian trade unions and progress in our shared quest for justice, peace and prosperity for all in the region.” ]]>
TUC Congress 2008 tag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.132008-09-05T09:37:20Z2008-09-05T09:46:54ZTrade 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...
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. ]]>
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 regionTo 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. ]]>
ANNUAL FRINGE MEETING: TUC CONGRESS 2008tag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.122008-08-20T09:21:58Z2008-08-20T09:26:34Z“Why trade union cooperation is vital to the peace process and prosperity” Guest speakers include: His Excellency Ron Prosor, Israeli Ambassador Owen Tudor, Head of International Relations, TUC Avital Shapira-Shabirow, Head of International Department, The Histadrut (Israeli TUC) Roger Lyons,...“Why trade union cooperation is vital to the peace process and prosperity”
Guest speakers include:
His Excellency Ron Prosor, Israeli Ambassador
Owen Tudor, Head of International Relations, TUC
Avital Shapira-Shabirow, Head of International Department, The Histadrut (Israeli TUC)
Roger Lyons, Chair, Trade Union Friends of Israel
Meeting Room 1, East Wing, The Brighton Centre, Brighton
Tuesday 9 September 2008
12.30pm- 2.00pm,
Light Lunch
R.S.V.P
info@tufi.org.uk
Admittance to conference pass holders only
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Israeli and Palestinian Trade Unions Reach Historic Agreementtag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.112008-08-06T15:45:57Z2008-08-06T15:54:39ZInternational Trade Union Confederation Press Release, 6 August 2008 The Israeli national trade union centre Histadrut and the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), both of which are affiliated to the ITUC, have reached a landmark agreement to protect...International Trade Union Confederation Press Release, 6 August 2008
The Israeli national trade union centre Histadrut and the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), both of which are affiliated to the ITUC, have reached a landmark agreement to protect the rights of Palestinian workers employed by Israeli employers, and to base future relations on negotiations, dialogue and joint initiatives to advance “fraternity and coexistence between the two peoples.” The current agreement draws on the terms of an initial 1995 agreement, which it had not been possible to fully implement in the intervening years.
The key features of the agreement include the reimbursement by Histadrut to the PGFTU of the outstanding balance of union and legal representation fees paid since 1993 by Palestinians working for Israeli employers. The reimbursement is based on a detailed year-by-year analysis of the fees paid by Palestinian workers, taking into account funds previously transferred to the PGFTU. The PGFTU will have sole discretion as to how the funds will be spent, in line with its Constitution.]]>
In the future, at least 50% of the representation fees paid by Palestinians working for Israeli employers will be transferred to the PGFTU, to enable both organizations to provide representation, legal and other trade union services to the workers.
Implementation of the agreement, which was negotiated under the umbrella of the ITUC, will be overseen by a joint committee of the two organizations.
“This agreement is tremendously significant, at a time when the political authorities in Israel and Palestine and the international community are failing to find just and lasting solutions to the political impasse. It means that the PGFTU will be able to ensure much more effective representation for Palestinian workers, while those working for Israeli employers will also benefit,” said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder. “The agreement calls upon the ITUC and its affiliates to continue to support future cooperation, and we are fully committed to do this,” he added.
PGFTU General Secretary Shaher Sae’d said “This removes a key obstacle to future cooperation and the full respect of the rights of Palestinian Workers. Decent work is a foundation stone for political and economic justice, and we will now be in a position to devote even more attention to tackling the appalling state of the Palestinian economy and playing a fuller part in the quest for justice, fairness and democratic rights in the building of a Palestinian state.”
“We are very pleased that this agreement has now been reached,” said Histadrut Chairperson Ofer Eini. “Every worker, whether of Israeli, Palestinian or other origin, must have full rights to the protections offered by international labour standards. The outcome of our dialogue with the PGFTU can only help achieve this, and help lay the foundations for future cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian trade unions and progress in our shared quest for justice, peace and prosperity for all in the region,” he added.
TUFI Monthly Update: July 2008 tag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.102008-07-17T20:42:50Z2008-07-17T20:52:38ZIsraeli Industrial News: Israeli social workers resume normal services Israeli Industrial News: Groundbreaking computer privacy agreement signed British Trade Union News: RMT rejects a boycott of Israel British Trade Union News: BFAWU exemplifies balanced approach British Trade Union News: Unison...Israeli Industrial News: Israeli social workers resume normal services
Israeli Industrial News: Groundbreaking computer privacy agreement signed
British Trade Union News: RMT rejects a boycott of Israel
British Trade Union News: BFAWU exemplifies balanced approach
British Trade Union News: Unison decides not to include boycott call in composite
British Trade Union News: GMB passes balanced motion
Peace Process:Talks to resume between Israeli and Palestinian negotiation teams
Gaza: Ceasefire holds despite continuing rocket attacks
Peace Process: Millions pledged at Berlin conference
Palestinian affairs:Abbas and Fayyad call for national unity
Israel/Lebanon: Israeli bodies handed over in prisoner swap
Syria:Olmert calls for face to face talks with Syria
Israeli affairs: Annual Gay Pride march goes ahead in Jerusalem
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Israeli Industrial News: Israeli social workers resume normal services
Social workers in Israel called an end to an 80-day partial-strike on 3 July after Isacc Herzog, the Israeli Welfare Minister, agreed to allocate £2 million to strengthen the industry and fund 221 new positions in the coming year.
For over two months, social workers refused to accept new clients, assign foster homes for children at risk or submit recommendations in custody disputes. The disgruntled workers claimed that growing socioeconomic gaps and a rapid population increase had led to a surplus of case files while the number of social workers had remained the same.
Israeli Industrial News: Groundbreaking agreement signed over employee computer privacy
The Histadrut and the Israeli Federation of Economic Organisations have reached a groundbreaking collective agreement (25 June), which settles the issue of employee privacy regarding the personal use of work-place computers.
The agreement determines that employees are entitled to use a work computer for personal reasons and have the right to privacy. The employer can only check an employee’s computer if there is a suspicion that it is being used to break the law or harm the organisation.
British Trade Union News: RMT union rejects a boycott of Israel
The National Union of Rail, Martine and Transport Workers union (RMT) voted at its 2008 Annual General Meeting (25 June) to overturn its existing negative policy on Israel. The motion called for a democratic two-state settlement for Israelis and Palestinians, criticised Hamas, and rejected “passive and divisive tactics such as boycotts,” which it called “inconsistent with the principles of unity and solidarity between workers that our union stands for and wishes to promote.” The motion was overwhelmingly passed by more than two thirds of conference delegates.
British Trade Union News: Bakers’ union exemplifies balanced approach
The BFAWU (Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union) successfully hosted an Israeli and a Palestine delegate at its Annual 2008 conference in Bridlington. The invitations to attend the conference followed a Trade Union Friends of Israel (TUFI) delegation to Israel and the Palestinian territories in December 2007, which included the BFAWU president, Ronnie Draper.
Hertzel Yaka, Chairman of the Food and Pharmaceutical Union of the Histadrut (Israeli TUC) and Ibrahim Thweib, General Secretary of the Food Workers Section of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), both addressed the conference and both received a standing ovation. The two delegates gave an overview of their union’s work and stressed their wish for understanding, dialogue amongst regional unions and peace in the region.
British Trade Union News: Unison decides not to include boycott call in composite motion
Unison’s executive council decided to reject calls for an economic boycott of Israel while putting together a composite motion on Palestine for its 2008 Annual Delegate Meeting in Bournemouth (June 2008).
The final composite motion, which was carried by 65% of delegates, criticised Israel on a number of fronts, but stopped short of calling for a boycott and instead called for Unison to continue working with “both the PGFTU and the Israeli Histadrut to promote civil society, dialogue and the peace process”.
British Trade Union News: GMB passes balanced motion
The GMB passed a motion (‘Peace and Statehood for Palestine’) at its 2008 annual Congress in June, which called for the union to actively campaign to relieve the “desperate suffering” in the Gaza strip as well as requesting the “ruling leadership of Hamas act decisively to prevent further Qassam rocket and mortar attacks being launched from within Gaza against civilians targets within Israel.”
Peace Process: Talks to resume between Israeli and Palestinian negotiation teams
Chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurei said on 28 June that peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will resume in Washington in July. Three sessions of bilateral talks between the negotiation teams have been agreed. Queri said that all “permanent status issues” were open for negotiation.
In an interview on 24 June Israeli Prime Minister Olmert said that tangible progress had been made in talks with the Palestinians regarding the fate of the refugees, borders and security arrangements. Mr Olmert said that the issue of Jerusalem would only be discussed in the final stage of talks, describing it as “volatile” but expressed hope that the two sides could reach an agreement over the fate of the capital.
Israeli and Palestinian leaders expressed their optimism over the chances for peace at a summit of EU and “Mediterranean Rim” nations in Paris on Sunday 13 July. Mr Olmert said “we have never been as close to the possibility of coming to an agreement as we are today.” Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said that both sides were serious and wanted peace.
Gaza: Ceasefire holds despite continuing rocket attacks
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, announced on Thursday 19 June, is still in effect despite repeated rocket attacks in violation of the terms of the agreement.
The deal is a staged agreement aiming to ease the humanitarian situation in Gaza while ensuring the security of Israeli communities in the Western Negev. The second stage involves Israel lifting the restrictions on goods going in and out of Gaza, and the final stage, contingent on success at its second stage, involves reopening the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt in return for Hamas’ release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit who has been held in Gaza since June 2006.
Israel opened Gaza’s borders on 29 June allowing in over 150 trucks carrying medical and food aid, but were forced to close the crossings again on 3 July after a rocket was fired at the southern Israeli town of Sderot. This was the sixth rocket attack since the truce between Israel and Hamas took effect and there have been three more reported attacks since. In a new development, Hamas arrested a number of Palestinians for the latest attack in the first such detentions since the start of the truce.
Peace Process: Millions pledged at Berlin conference in support of security sector reform
International donors at the Berlin conference on the Middle East have committed £121m for security projects that they hope will help create a viable Palestinian state. The conference was attended by more than 40 government delegations, including representatives from the US, the UN, the EU and Russia.
The money comes out of £3.7 billion already pledged by donors at the Paris conference in December 2007 where the UK donated £250 million over the next three years. The money now earmarked for security reform will be passed to the Palestinian Authority (PA) over the next three years to be spent on measures such as training police and building new courthouses. The funds are also due to go towards an expansion of the European Union Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS), set up in 2005 to train the Palestinian police force.
Palestinian affairs: Abbas and Fayyad call for national unity
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad has called for the establishment of a unity government with Hamas (12 July), saying it was time to re-unite the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Calling on Hamas to accept Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s initiative for “national unity,” Fayyad said he was prepared to form a transitional government to run the affairs of the Palestinians and prepare for new elections.
Israel/Lebanon: Israeli bodies handed over in prisoner swap
Five Lebanese prisoners, including Samir Qantar, the notorious murderer of an Israeli father and his young daughter, crossed free out of Israel on 16 July in a prisoner swap after the Hizbullah militant group handed over two black caskets containing the remains of two Israeli soldiers. It was the first confirmation for their families that Eldad Regev, 27, and Ehud Goldwasser, 32 had died. The abduction of the two soldiers set off a 34-day war between Lebanon and Israel in 2006.
Syria: Olmert calls for face to face talks with Syria
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called for face-to-face negotiations with Syria on 3 July following a positive third round of indirect peace talks, mediated by Turkey, in which all parties agreed to meet again.
The fourth round of indirect negotiations will be held in Turkey in late July. At that meeting, the sides will decide whether to move to direct talks starting in August when the fifth and sixth rounds are scheduled to take place. A Turkish government source said the negotiators were beginning to discuss “core issues”.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Syrian President Bashar Assad both attended the summit of EU and “Mediterranean Rim” nations in Paris on Sunday 13 July. They did not speak directly but Assad said he estimated six months to two years would be a likely time-frame in which the two countries could sign an agreement.
Israeli affairs: Annual Gay Pride march goes ahead in Jerusalem
Around 3,000 people attended the Gay Pride parade on Thursday 26 June in Jerusalem. In previous years, the event had sparked an outcry from the ultra-Orthodox community in the city. This year there were only small-scale protests away from the march route and police said only one protester was arrested.
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RMT transport union votes to overturn its boycott policytag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.92008-07-04T19:53:15Z2008-07-04T19:54:45ZThe RMT transport union voted at its 2008 Annual General Meeting on 24 June to effectively overturn its existing boycott policy against Israel. The motion also called for a democratic two state settlement for Israelis and Palestinians and criticised Hamas....
The RMT transport union voted at its 2008 Annual General Meeting on 24 June to effectively overturn its existing boycott policy against Israel. The motion also called for a democratic two state settlement for Israelis and Palestinians and criticised Hamas.
The motion was overwhelmingly passed with more than forty of the sixty or so conference delegates voting for the motion.
Bakers' Union host Israeli and Palestinian Counterpartstag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.82008-06-30T10:16:44Z2008-06-30T10:29:10ZFollowing a visit to to Israel and the Palestinian Authority in December 2007 with the Trade Union Friends of Israel Delegation to the region, the BFAWU (Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union) invited to speak at their Annual Conference in...
Following a visit to to Israel and the Palestinian Authority in December 2007 with the Trade Union Friends of Israel Delegation to the region, the BFAWU (Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union) invited to speak at their Annual Conference in Bridlington, Hertzel Yaka, Chairman of the Food and Pharmaceutical Union of the Histadrut (Israeli TUC) and Ibrahim Thweib, General Secretary of the Food Workers Section of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions.
Both delegates addressed the Conference and received a standing ovation. Both gave an overview of their own unions work and both stressed their wish for peace and quiet in the region, brotherhood and understanding, dialogue and activism amongst the unions in the region.
Hertzel Yaka made the following statement:
“We call upon the British Trade Unions to take part and be a partner in projects and to condemn any attempt of an organisation to ban Israeli unions. A ban of any sort is completely unacceptable and contradicts the norms of fellowship and solidarity, which are the base of every trade union in the world, and is in fact an attempt to undermine the effort to achieve true peace amongst the Israeli and Palestinian people. We believe that in order to achieve peace you need to negotiate and not to intimidate nor ban. The efforts for peace need to be made through operational deeds and fair mediation and not with loud statements and a one-sided approach.”
Special thanks were given to the BFAWU for bringing both Hertzel and Ibrahim to Britain. Instrumental in bringing them to the UK was Ronnie Draper President of BFAWU who visited the region in December 2007 as a member of the Trade Union Friends of Israel’s Delegation to Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
TUFI Monthly Update tag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.72008-06-16T09:25:00Z2008-06-16T09:28:37ZIsraeli Industrial News: Nationwide strike threatened if new taxes not repealed The Histadrut (Israeli TUC) has threatened to call a nationwide government strike at the end of June if a new workers' fund tax is not repealed. The threat was...Israeli Industrial News: Nationwide strike threatened if new taxes not repealed
The Histadrut (Israeli TUC) has threatened to call a nationwide government strike at the end of June if a new workers' fund tax is not repealed. The threat was made in response to a new tax plan reveled by Israel’s Finance Minister, Roni Bar-On, which includes a drop in taxes for both companies and individuals to be paid for by the cancellation of tax exemptions on payments to some government employees’ pension funds.
The chairman of the Histadrut, Ofer Eini, said “there should be no connection between tax and reforms; the employees have an agreement with their employers, and the government has no business mixing in... the funds do not affect the top earning classes, but only normal working people - I'm waiting for Bar-On to say he made a mistake”
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Israel/Palestinian: Israel transfers delayed tax moneyPalestinian Prime Minister Salaam Fayad said that Israeli officials announced on 9 June that they have transferred millions of dollars in tax revenues that were withheld since the end of May. The money was due to be transferred under a long-standing deal between both sides in which Israel collects tax revenues for the PA. The money is intended to pay around 150,000 Palestinian civil servants who have experienced delays in receiving their salaries this month. An Israeli treasury official blamed the delay on a technical fault while PA officials have said that Israel delayed the transfer deliberately after Fayyad called on the European Union not to upgrade its relations with Israel.
Israeli Industrial News: Labour dispute brewing over contracted police
Ofer Eini, chairman of the Histadrut, has warned Israel’s police force that if it does not give permanent jobs to its hundreds of civilian employees, the union will declare a labour dispute. This would be an unprecedented move, and could disrupt police work. Police officers themselves cannot unionise or strike. An amendment to agency worker law in January 2008 mandates that employers must directly hire any employee who has worked for them through an agency for longer than nine months.
British Trade Union News: UCU pass boycott motion
The University and College Union (UCU) passed a motion on 29 May that would allow for the reintroduction of a boycott of Israeli academia. At its annual congress in Manchester, the motion was passed without debate and by a show of hands.
The motion follows last year's attempts by the union to implement a similar boycott motion, but was withdrawn by the union following undisclosed legal advice. This year's motion was debated despite the fact the Stop the Boycott campaign sort legal advice which clearly states that any boycott of Israeli academia would be in breach of the unions own anti-discrimination policies and British anti-discrimination laws.
The union is due to speak about the issue at its executive council meeting on 13 June 2008.
Israeli affairs: Israeli Gay Pride march goes ahead in Tel Aviv
Thousands of people attended the tenth annual Gay Pride parade, which this year took place in Tel Aviv, rather than Jerusalem, on Friday 6 June. There were brief altercations between participants in the parade and a group of right-wing religious demonstrators, although the police were not required to intervene. An attempt by the ultra-religious Shas party to prevent the parade from going ahead failed with organisers claiming that Shas was, ‘trying to take us back to the Middle Ages’.
Israeli Industrial News: Histadrut, employers draft agreement over employee computer privacy
The Histadrut and employers organisations have formulated an agreement regarding how much privacy employees may have on their workplace computer, and what access should be permitted to their employer.
They have adopted a form of the European model, which gives employees a great deal of privacy, even when the computer and the server belong to the company. The American model, in contrast, tends to consider the management’s right to access an employee's computer as a property right.
MEPP: Confidence building measures continue in the West Bank
Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) are engaging in confidence building measures aimed at promoting security and encouraging development in the West Bank. Israeli Arabs are now being allowed to visit the West Bank town of Jenin, with scores entering into the town for the first time on 9 June. Three new PA police stations were opened in Jenin on 3 June in order to coordinate the increased policing role given to the PA in recent weeks. The IDF also agreed to remove 10 roadblocks in southern Hebron in the West Bank in an effort to improve living conditions for Palestinians on 8 June.
MEPP: Bethlehem conference raises $1.5 billion for Palestinian business
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad announced that delegates at the conference in Bethlehem conference pledged to invest nearly $1.5 billion in Palestinian business projects. Hundreds of participants attended the first ever Palestine Investment Conference (21-23 May), showcasing business opportunities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Fayyad said that business proposals discussed at the conference could create up to 35,000 Palestinian jobs.
At the Bethlehem conference, Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander, announced a £3 million boost from the UK to small businesses in the Palestinian Territories and spoke of the importance of greater investment in Palestinian business:
“...aid alone is not enough to help (the Palestinian people) overcome their problems. Economic growth is vital to the search for a lasting economic and political settlement in the Middle East.” (21/05/08)
The conference was a follow up to the Paris international donors’ event in December 2007 where 87 countries and international organisations pledged $7.4 billion over three years to the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan. Israel issued nearly 500 special entry permits for participants, many of them Palestinian expatriates from Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. Over 100 businessmen from Gaza were also issued travel permits to attend the conference.
Gaza: Thousands of Palestinians march on Rafah crossing
Over 9,000 Palestinians marched to the Rafah crossing after Friday prayers on 6 June to protest against the continued closure of the Gaza Strip. The protestors were eventually repelled by Hamas security forces who were guarding the area. Egypt deployed hundreds of riot police along the border with the Gaza Strip which has been closed since Hamas took it over in July 2007. Egypt has been trying to broker a truce between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza. The deal would include reaching an agreement on monitoring the Rafah crossing amid fears that it will be used to smuggle arms into Gaza. Hamas has repeatedly urged Cairo to open the Rafah crossing unilaterally if the truce talks break down.
The Israeli Security Cabinet are due to meet to discuss the possibility of entering into a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Scepticism of the Egyptian brokered deal is mounting in Israel amid fears that Hamas would only use the lull in violence as a chance to rearm. The cabinet meeting has been delayed twice already.
Quartet Special Envoy to the Middle East, Tony Blair, again ruled out talks with Hamas unless the group met the Quartet’s conditions of renouncing violence, recognising Israel and agreeing to abide by previous peace agreements. Speaking in front of the International Development Select Committee on 5 June, Blair went on to describe the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “dreadful” before arguing that “we need to get a period of calm, to get a ceasefire in Gaza…and then build our way back out of this to a situation where the people of Gaza can be helped”.
Palestinian affairs: Abbas calls for renewed talks with Hamas without preconditions Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for resuming talks with Hamas on 4 June. Abbas had until then refused to talk to Hamas unless it relinquished control of Gaza. He said that if this round of reconciliation talks with Hamas succeeded, he would call for legislative and presidential elections before his term is due to end in January 2009. The call for renewed talks comes amid new polling evidence released in May. The opinion poll suggests that Fatah and President Abbas currently have more support among the Palestinian public than the rival Hamas movement.
Following the announcement, Hamas and Fatah officials met for two days of talks (7-8 June) in Senegal, hosted by Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, who is currently head of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. Abbas is reported to be planning several visits to other Arab countries in a bid to win their support for his latest initiative to resolve the Fatah-Hamas power struggle. Abbas arrived in Cairo to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on 9 June, who has offered to host talks between the two factions. This follows a trip to Saudi Arabia on Sunday 8 June, where he met with Saudi King Abdullah for talks on resolving Palestinian factionalism and to discuss progress being made in negotiations with Israel.
Syria: Indirect peace talks with Israel set to continue this week in Turkey Indirect talks which began last month between Syria and Israel are expected to continue this week in Turkey according to Turkish officials who are mediating between the two countries. Ahead of the planned talks, Syrian President Assad told Arab newspapers (3 June) that Israel must be prepared to return all Syrian lands occupied in the 1967 war as part of any peace deal. Israel Defence Minister Ehud Barak in contrast, while emphasising Syria’s continued arming of Hezbollah and ongoing relationship with Iran, claimed that the return of the Golan Heights was not at the top of the Damascus government’s priorities.
Parallel to the talks, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced its intention to inspect Syria’s nuclear facilities during a 3 day visit planned for the 22 to 24 of June. IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei announced that the agency is also interested in investigating information that Syria may have three other undeclared atomic facilities. Syria has said that it will not permit IAEA inspectors to probe beyond the Al-Kibar site bombed by Israeli jets last September where the US claims a secret nuclear reactor was being built on the remote site. President Assad maintained last week that Syria is not seeking nuclear weapons, but did want access to atomic energy for peaceful purposes through a collective Arab project.
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Monthly Update: April 2008tag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.62008-05-13T10:37:31Z2008-05-13T10:41:05ZIsraeli Industrial News: New public sector agreement signed A major new public sector wage agreement was signed on 17 April by Eli Cohen, the Israeli Director of Wages, and Ofer Eini, the chairman of the Histadrut (Israeli TUC). Nearly a...
Israeli Industrial News: New public sector agreement signed
A major new public sector wage agreement was signed on 17 April by Eli Cohen, the Israeli Director of Wages, and Ofer Eini, the chairman of the Histadrut (Israeli TUC). Nearly a million public sector employees will receive a 5% pay raise spread over three years and pensions will now be linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). As part of the deal, the Histadrut (Israeli TUC) has also promised to maintain industrial quiet until the end of 2009.]]>
Israeli Industrial News: New system expected to help protect Thai workers from exploitation
A new system for employing Thai agricultural workers in Israel is to be implemented in May 2008. The new regulations are expected to greatly reduce exploitation by agents and employers. Israeli work agencies will soon have to sign an agreement with the Thai Office of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and will not be able to charge each prospective worker more than £500. The Industry, Trade and Labour Ministry said the new arrangement would prevent excessive commission charges and provide "fair and transparent hiring services."
Kav La'Oved, an organisation committed to protecting the rights of disadvantaged workers in Israel and the Palestinian territories, has been campaigning for such arrangements between Israel and international organisations for years. They claim that since 2006, agents and employers have taken a total of £150 million from individuals who legally entered Israel and that many workers have spent up to two years paying off loans taken out to pay agents.
Israeli Industrial News: Striking workers cause delay in opening of Israeli stock market
The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) was forced to shut down all operational computer systems for three hours on the 7 April after contract workers went on strike, demanding full-time status. The General Secretary of the TASE Workers’ Union, Yitzhak Lerner, said they had been left with no other option after the stock exchange management had continuously ignored their requests to negotiate.
The strikers returned to work after Ofer Eini, the chairman of the Histadrut (Israeli TUC), managed to broker a temporary compromise, offering to mediate and help resolve the two month dispute.
Israeli Industrial News: Workers strike longer
The number of work days lost to the Israeli economy as a result of strikes rocketed by 1771% to 2.5 million in 2007 compared with just 136 days in 2006, according to a report released on 8 April by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour.
Labour relations division head, Shlomo Yitzhaki, attributed the dramatic increase to the prolonged strikes staged by the Secondary School Teachers’ Union and senior faculty staff at universities, as well as public sector strikes launched by the Histadurt. Strikes in the education sector accounted for 86% of the days lost to the economy.
British Trade Union News: National Union of Journalists reaffirms commitment not to boycott Israel
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) passed a motion on 4 April at their Annual Delegate Meeting in Belfast, committing and reaffirming their decision made in July 2007 to take “no further action” in implementing a boycott of Israel.
The General Secretary of the NUJ, Jeremy Dear, spoke at length himself on behalf of the National Executive Council’s position and said he wanted the union to “move on” from calls of a boycott; engage with sister unions in Israel, and concentrate on providing support to journalists and trade unionists defending workers’ rights and media freedoms in the region.
British Trade Union News: STUC remit motion calling for an Israeli boycott
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) voted on 22 April at its annual conference to remit a motion calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. The STUC General Council argued that there had been no clear call for a boycott by the Palestinian General Federation of Trades unions (PGFTU) and that the STUC needed to investigate the situation further and continue working with their Palestinian and Israeli counterparts.
Gaza: Hamas bans protests in Gaza
The militant group in control of the Gaza Strip has banned protests. The police have also warned refugee camps in Gaza against celebrations without permission. On 26 April, Hamas said that “the Palestinian Police call upon any party that wish to organise a public assembly or celebration to obtain prior permission from the relevant authority in the police force." The latest orders came amid a Hamas crackdown against Fatah and other opposition movements in the Gaza Strip.
Gaza: Palestinian militant groups in Cairo talks
Officials from three Palestinian militant groups meet in Cairo on 29 April for talks with the head of Egyptian intelligence, Omar Suleiman. The aim of the talks was to draft a common position on any truce proposal with Israel over the Gaza Strip.
Israel has so far dismissed an Egyptian mediated six-month truce proposed by Hamas, calling it a ploy to buy time, re-arm and re-group. Statements by Hamas officials in the past few days corroborate this view: on 24 April, Hamas’ Gaza spokesman, Ayman Taha, said that Hamas would not stop arms smuggling during any truce, and on 26 April, Hamas’ political leader, Khaled Meshal, said that Hamas would accept an Egyptian-mediated cease-fire but it would only be a “tactic” in the group’s conflict with Israel.
Gaza: Israeli operations in Gaza continue amid increased rocket and terror attacks
Palestinian militant groups have continued to fire makeshift rockets into southern Israel throughout April. After a relative lull at the beginning of the month, over 100 Qassam rockets and mortar shells have been fired from the Gaza strip at Israeli civilian targets in the past few weeks. Hamas has also been carrying out sustained attacks along the Israeli-Gaza border, killing three soldiers in an ambush on 16 April.
In response to the attacks, Israel has launched ground and air operations in the Gaza Strip. On 16 April, Israel launched air strikes which killed 20 Palestinians, including five minors and a Reuters cameraman. The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) announced on 21 April that it will launch an investigation into the killing of the cameraman who was travelling in a car marked as press. In one of the latest operations, four Palestinian children and their mother were killed in an explosion on 28 April in their house in the town of Beit Hamoun in Gaza. The Israeli army has said that explosives carried by Palestinian militants were responsible for the deaths.
Gaza: Hamas attack fuel trucks entering Gaza
Hamas has been accused by Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the EU of taking action to worsen the crisis in the Gaza Strip with the aim of increasing international criticism on Israel. Hamas is preventing the distribution of fuel to Gaza by launching attacks against delivery trucks destined for Gaza. The latest such attack was at the Nahal Oz border crossing on Sunday (27 April), which prevented the fuel reaching the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and hospitals inside Gaza. An EU statement from the EU President released on 25 April openly condemned Hamas for the role they are playing in “aggravating the humanitarian situation” in Gaza.
MEPP: Israel dismantles roadblock in the West Bank
Middle East Envoy Tony Blair has presented Israel with a list of West Bank travel and trade restrictions he wants removed in order to help the possibility for Palestinian economic regeneration. The list is the first of its kind to be presented by Blair since he was appointed Middle East Envoy is June 2007 and is an attempt to spearhead efforts to revive the Palestinian economy. The specific details of the list have not yet been made public.
Ahead of the publication of the list, Israel removed a key checkpoint near Nablus in the West Bank on 28 April allowing Palestinian vehicles and pedestrians to move unhindered between Nablus and the village of Assira al-Shamalia to the north of the town. The crossing is one of 61 West Bank barriers which Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak ordered to be removed last month (29 March) to improve movement and access for the Palestinians and bolster their faltering economy. So far 47 roadblocks have been removed throughout the West Bank since Barak’s pledge. The Israeli army has been reluctant to remove roadblocks that it says are crucial in helping stop terrorist attacks but have agreed to remove all non-essential roadblocks.
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Trade union boycott motions against Israel: weakening the prospects of peacetag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.52008-04-18T14:27:59Z2008-04-18T14:44:24ZA number of trade unions in the UK issued resolutions in 2007 that either directly or indirectly called for divestment from and boycotts of Israel. This year, several unions have preliminary boycott motions on the agenda for their 2008 conferences....
A number of trade unions in the UK issued resolutions in 2007 that either directly or indirectly called for divestment from and boycotts of Israel. This year, several unions have preliminary boycott motions on the agenda for their 2008 conferences.
We believe that it is right for unions around the world to be discussing the plight of the Palestinians and seeking ways to provide assistance to them. We do not want to suppress trade union debate on the actions of the Israeli government nor undermine support for the Palestinian people. But we believe that support for Palestinians should not be counterproductive to the situation on the ground and the ongoing peace process. Rather than divestment from Israel, we believe that investment of time, energy and material aid in the peace process is the way to meaningful progress towards achieving a lasting settlement.
Calling for boycotts of Israel is not the right approach for trade unions for a number of important reasons:
- There are now continued negotiations between the two sides aimed at reaching a final agreement for the first time in over seven years. Now cannot be the right time to be calling for divisive boycotts.
- The economic relationship between the Palestinian and Israeli economies is vitally important to the peace process: economic boycotts against Israel can only damage this.
- The Histadrut (Israeli TUC) and the PGFTU (Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions) do not want boycotts but want to continue working together for peace. It is our duty as trade unionists to support them; to show solidarity with their positive efforts rather than call for disruptive boycotts.
- Simplistic and non-constructive efforts in the form of misguided resolutions is not the right approach for trade unions to help, especially when there are a number of positive measures that can express practical solidarity without calling for a boycott.
- Advocates of the boycott of Israel repeatedly invoke the boycott of South Africa. The parallel they draw between Israel and apartheid South Africa is false and a misrepresentation of the facts.
- Extensive human rights violations are taking place in Sudan (Darfur), Saudi Arabia, China, Iran, Columbia, Venezuela, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, and Zimbabwe. Where are the boycott calls against these countries? Why single out Israel?
The Revival of the Peace Process
With the recent revival of the Middle East Peace Process, this is not the time for proposing ostracism in place of engagement. The last few months have seen positive and significant developments in the region. The Annapolis conference was the first big push for a peace settlement since the collapse of negotiations at Camp David in 2000 and has led to both sides authorising the start of negotiations on the delicate core issues of the conflict. For the first time in over seven years there are continued negotiations between the two sides aimed at reaching a final agreement.
“Mr. Prime Minister [Ehud Olmert], I wish that we, together, continue and closely work in order to achieve a historical mission that we have waited for too long.”President Abbas at the Annapolis conference, November 2007“I believe it is time. We are ready. I invite you, my friend Mahmoud Abbas, and your people, to join us in this tormenting and complex path, for which there is no substitute. Together we will start. Together we will arrive.”Prime Minister Olmert at the Annapolis conference, November 2007
Despite the positive efforts made towards peace, tensions between Israel and Hamas ruled Gaza have been rising in 2008 amid increased violence and casualties. Israelis suffer from ongoing rocket attacks which have increased since Israel completely pulled out of Gaza in 2005 and by a further 150% since Hamas’ violent takeover in June 2007. For Palestinians, this cycle of rocket attacks and Israeli counter-measures is compounding current hardships in Gaza making life for ordinary Palestinians increasingly bleak and miserable. Innocent civilians suffer as they are held hostage by the spiral of violence initiated by the militants who launch rockets from within their territory. In the face of such challenges, it is all the more important that we sustain support for the peace process and support those working towards this commendable goal. Focusing on the positive momentum started by Annapolis and concentrating on constructive solutions to current problems will be the answer to building two viable states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security.
Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas are still meeting fortnightly and recently agreed to speed up the negotiations progress, saying that negotiators would meet on an “almost daily basis”. Three separate Israeli-Palestinian Civil Affairs committees have been set up to work in parallel with negotiations on the final status issues of Jerusalem, refugees and borders. Both the Histadrut (Israeli TUC) and the PGFTU (Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions) are united in supporting these developments.
Israeli and Palestinian Economic Relationship
A stable relationship between the Palestinian and Israeli economies with good trade links is crucial for the peace process to succeed. Ofer Eini, Chairman of the Histadrut, has repeatedly stated that he believes the resolution to the conflict will be an economic as much as a political settlement. The British Government’s report on the Economic aspects of peace in the Middle East, published in September 2007, mirrored this argument and stated that “it is essential to create a stable and consistent framework for interaction between the Israeli and Palestinian economies” and that the Palestinian economy needs a dependable economic and trading relationship with Israel. The international community is striving to push this economic aspect forward by working to boost the Palestinian economy and the Quartet’s Middle East Envoy, Tony Blair, only last November unveiled four joint Israeli-Palestinian economic projects.
Conversely, calls for a boycott of Israel aim to contradict these efforts by aspiring to weaken Israel’s economy. This would be counterproductive; causing a detrimental effect to the Palestinian economy, the peace process, and fundamentally, the Palestinian people.
The Histadrut and the PGFTU: working together
The Histadrut and the PGFTU want to continue working together. The two federations and their organisations maintain contact and are involved with many mutually supportive activities. At the Histadrut’s 2007 annual Congress, the PGFTU was officially represented and the delegation present affirmed its commitment to maintain and extend constructive relations with the Histadrut. They also declared their wish to cooperate in campaigns to improve the economic and social well-being for both Israeli and Palestinian working people.
An example of this cooperation was evident in October 2007 when the Histadrut successfully petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice for Israeli labour law to be applied in the occupied territories. Nine judges ruled that Palestinians working for Israeli employers in West Bank settlements should be given the same work benefits provided by Israeli law. The ruling set an important precedent that should benefit thousands of Palestinians working for Israelis and Israeli companies throughout the West Bank.
In another program of joint cooperation, over 20 Israeli and Palestinian transport union representatives signed a number of collaborative agreements at a bilateral meeting organised by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) in June 2007. The Histadrut and the PGFTU continue to meet under the auspices of the ITF. At the latest meeting, held on the 6-7 February 2008, both parties agreed to improve the passage of professional drivers at checkpoints and road blocks in the West Bank.
“Transport is central to the economic and social wellbeing of all nations and that international solidarity between transport workers is needed more than ever in today’s globalised economy... [We] agree too to promote closer cooperation and understanding between Israeli and Palestinian transport workers.” Statement of cooperation signed by Avi Edri, Israeli Transportation Workers Union, and Naser Yunes, President of the General Federation of Transport Workers.
It is clear that the two union federations want to work for peace together, so it is our duty as trade unionists to support them; to show solidarity with their positive efforts rather than call for divisive boycotts. The general secretary of the PGFTU echoed this in a letter last year to the Chairman for the Histadrut, Ofer Eini:
"We [the Histadrut and the PGFTU] must emphasise our mutual need for peace in our two societies, for the benefit both of workers and because peace will reflect stability". Shaher Sae’d, General Secretary of PGFTU to Ofer Eini, Chairman, The Histadrut
Why should British trade unions aim to undermine the relationship between trade unions on the ground when real progress is being made? Calls for a boycott can only damage the interest of the workers in both trade union movements. What trade unionists need in the region is solidarity, engagement and respect, not divisive calls that can only help the extremists.
Who’s calling for a Boycott?
It makes sense to listen and follow the decisions of the people living in the region and there has been no official Palestinian call for a boycott of Israel. The PFGTU message to the TUC congress in September 2007 included no reference to a boycott; the launch last year of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in Vienna - with both the Histadrut and the PGFTU present - involved no reference to a boycott; the elected Palestinian Authority has not called for a boycott of Israel; old foes Egypt and Jordan, who now have direct trade links with Israel, have not called for a boycott against Israel; and the roadmap peace plan specifically calls for the normalisation, not the opposite, of trade relations between other states and Israel. So why should British trade unions be calling for a boycott?
South African parallel
Advocates of the boycott of Israel repeatedly invoke the boycott of South Africa. The parallel they draw between Israel and apartheid South Africa is false. The Palestinian (Israeli Arab), Druze and other minorities in Israel are guaranteed full equal rights under Israeli law. All citizens vote in elections. There are no legal restrictions on movement, employment or sexual or marital relations. The universities are integrated. Opponents of Zionism have free speech and assembly and may form political organisations. Israeli Arabs are also represented in the Israeli Parliament.
Israel has a democratic, free trade union movement, representing Jews, Muslims and Christians. Arabs hold positions at every level in the Histadrut organisation, and currently the head of their International Department is the Arab-Israeli, Nawaf Massalha. The organisation regularly criticises the Israeli Government and strongly supports the peace process and a two state solution. This is widely recognised by the PGFTU.
The analogy with South Africa is over simplistic, a misrepresentation of the facts and ultimately completely irrelevant to the Israeli-Palestinian situation.
NUJ and UCU aim to play positive role
A number of British trade unions passed boycott motions in 2007. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ), however, dropped their policy regarding a boycott in July 2007, and has included a motion against boycotts on the agenda this year. The University and College Union (UCU) also announced in September 2007 that the union will no longer pursue the possibility of a boycott after legal advisers deemed it would be unlawful. The General Secretary of the UCU, Sally Hunt, now says she hopes the union will play a positive role in promoting peace in the Middle East. Other unions could follow suit and aim to help, not hinder.
Positive UK trade union engagement
Trade Unions in the UK can do something positive to help move the peace process forward. One example would be to help facilitate contact between the Histadrut and the PGFTU to resolve the outstanding issue of subscription remittances to the PGFTU. The Histadrut is keen to resolve this issue originating from their joint agreement, which was in operation from 1994 until the second intifada in 2000. Both the Histadrut and the PGFTU have asked the TUC and other British trade unions to assist either by providing a venue for discussion or helping to mediate. Resolving this issue would make it much easier to promote further joint work by the two organisations, which is something both of them have expressed a desire to do.
Trade Union Friends of Israel (TUFI) works with a range of organisations to help promote the cause of peace. Below is a list of a few that trade unions could support and work with:
- Givat Haviva is a peace educational institution that works to build cooperation and coexistence between Israel’s Jewish and Palestinian communities and between Israelis, Palestinians and people from Arab States.
- One Voice is an organisation with offices in Tel-Aviv & Ramallah that runs a range of the peace education projects in both Israel and Palestine. Its goal is to find moderate or pragmatic voices from all political parties on both sides to find common ground and work for peace.
- Friends of the Bereaved Families Forum is an organisation that works in the UK to support ‘Parents Circle – Families Forum’ composed of Israeli and Palestinian bereaved families who have joined together to spread a message of tolerance, dialogue and non-violence. (www.theparentscircle.com/)
- Peace Now UK works in the UK to promote the goals of Israeli Shalom Ahshav – Peace Now, founded in 1978 as a grassroots peace movement, campaigning for a comprehensive peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours and a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on mutual recognition, self-determination and peaceful co-existence.
- The Abraham Fund Initiatives works to advance co-existence, equality and
cooperation among Israel’s Jewish and Arab citizens by creating and operating large-scale initiatives, cultivating strategic grassroots projects and conducting public education and advocacy that promote its vision of shared citizenship and opportunity for all of Israel’s citizens.
- The Geneva Initiative is the organisation founded to support the Geneva Accords, the final status peace proposals created by a group of moderate Palestinian and Israeli Politicians, NGOs and individuals.
- Hand in Hand is an education project that runs three mixed Jewish and Arab schools in Israel, aiming to break down barriers between communities. Each school is co-directed by Arab and Jewish co-Principals and each classroom is co-taught by Jewish and Arab teachers.
TUFI Delegations
Trade unionists should think about taking part in one of TUFI’s delegations to Israel and the Palestinian territories to show real solidarity with fellow trade unionists in the region. We would be delighted if your union would like to nominate one or more to join our next delegation where delegates will be able to discuss the issues directly with trade unionists from both Palestinian and Israeli trade union federations and from all levels.
At TUFI we believe that trade unionists can play a constructive role in helping people working for peace on both sides and can make an important contribution in bringing an end to decades of suffering.
Support positive action within your trade union:
1) Work to establish and expand links with both Palestinian and Israeli trade unionists. TUFI can help arrange sister union engagement with the appropriate unions.
2) Request your union to send members on one of TUFI’s delegations in order for them to gain first-hand experience of the situation and report back to other union members.
3) Support and encourage your union to engage positively with both the Histadrut and the PGFTU.
4) Argue against calls for a boycott and support initiatives to help bring Israelis and Palestinians together. We hope the 2008 trade union conference season paves the way for constructive trade union engagement and solidarity with the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
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Monthly Update: March 2008 tag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.42008-03-28T17:05:10Z2008-03-28T17:14:12ZIsraeli Industrial News: Histadrut, Coffee Bean strike breakthrough labour deal A very sophisticated and thriving cafe culture has been developing in Israel, but workers' rights in the restaurant sector have been largely unprotected. That is about to change. The Histadrut...
Israeli Industrial News: Histadrut, Coffee Bean strike breakthrough labour deal
A very sophisticated and thriving cafe culture has been developing in Israel, but workers' rights in the restaurant sector have been largely unprotected. That is about to change.
The Histadrut Labour Federation and the Coffee Bean chain of coffee shops on Tuesday (11 March) signed a collective labour agreement, the first of its kind between the union and a restaurant. It ends a long work dispute between employees in Coffee Bean's 14 establishments and management.
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• Ten percent of the coffee chain's annual profits will be granted to its 300 employees.
• An employee who works for at least a year will receive benefits of between half a salary and a full salary.
• Each employee will receive lunch for the symbolic price of NIS 5.
• Management committed to abide by the law and pay transportation fares for employees, or organize transportation during the hours transportation is unavailable.
The international chain first opened in Israel five years ago.
"The chain's customers and employees know today that the chain's employees have the best working conditions in cafes throughout Israel," Coffee Bean Israel CEO Shai Cohen said "The chain's employees are partners in the success of the chain and in its competition in the cafe market."
The struggle for union rights at the restaurant erupted last year, when workers at the Coffee Bean branch on Ibn Gvirol Street in Tel Aviv began to press for improved conditions.
In July 2007, an employee activist who had attempted to form a workers' union was fired.
Together with the Histadrut, the worker successfully sued the franchise for illegal dismissal.
Meanwhile, management refused to enter into negotiations for a collective agreement and began putting pressure on workers who supported the attempt to organize. Workers responded to the ongoing intimidation and harassment by calling a strike on January 22, with the support of the Histadrut and activists who demonstrated outside the restaurant.
At the beginning of February, Coffee Bean's management backed down to national pressure and media exposure and agreed to enter into negotiations with the Histadrut.
Under the terms of the agreement, the employees at the Tel Aviv branch on Ibn Gvirol Street will be awarded a one-time benefit to solve the ongoing dispute over their tips, which allegedly they did not receive for an entire year, starting in May 2006.
Israeli Industrial News: MKs ask Danish cleaning giant to rub out Israeli firm
Two Knesset members on the 25 March wrote to a multinational corporation, alleging that the Israeli firm it had recently purchased was a serial violator of its workers rights.
Labour MKs Michael Melchior and Shelly Yachimovich said they hoped their letter would spur the Danish-based ISS corporation to find an escape clause from their contract to purchase Kfir, an Israeli company which provides cleaning and security services.
"Kfir's high profitability stems from it being a habitual violator of labour laws," they wrote. "Rulings in favour of the workers that have sued their company reveal that it is not averse to dismissing pregnant women, intentionally deferring payment and paying below the minimum wage."
In response, ISS management in Israel said: "It's unfortunate that the MKs did not ask our professional opinion before running to the media and trumping up baseless charges against Kfir." Yachimovich has recently filed a complaint with the Ministry of Industry against Kfir on behalf of employers who claim mistreatment. The charges are currently being investigated by the ministry.
In their letter, the MKs also asked ISS CEO Jorgen Lindegaard to compensate the Kfir employees.
Melchior, who was born in Denmark, wrote the letter in Danish. He said, "I am familiar with Danish sensitivity to such issues and I ask them to be just as sensitive to their Israeli employees."
ISS employs almost a half million workers. Its Israeli branch is already a leader in the Israeli cleaning and security services market and its purchase of Kfir for NIS 80 million provides it with another 4,000 Israelis.
Gaza: Claims of ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continue to be refuted
There have recently been reports of Egypt mediating an unofficial ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Israeli newspapers (17 March) reported that Egypt is putting together a deal in Gaza that will include a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas; an Egyptian commitment to increase anti-smuggling efforts on the border; give Hamas a presence at the Rafah crossing; and reinstate Palestinian Authority control over other crossings from Gaza into Israel. Egypt attempted to play a mediating role between Hamas and Israel following the capture of Corporal Gilad Shalit in June 2006.
Both Israel and Hamas have officially denied the claims that any such agreement has been reached. Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman this week (17 March) delayed a visit to Israel for a third time. No reason for the postponement was given.
Rockets: Rocket attacks against Israel resume after period of relative calm
Rocket attacks from Gaza and Israeli counter measures have recently resumed.
Three Palestinian militants were killed in an Israel Air Force strike east of Gaza City on Saturday (15 March). According to the Israel Defence Forces Spokesman, the men were Islamic Jihad members on their way to launch Qassam rockets at Israel. The IDF actions were the first attacks on armed militants in the Strip in over a week, since the steep drop in rocket fire aimed at Israel.
Rocket attacks resumed against Israel, following a recent lull, hitting Ashkelon on Tuesday (11 March).
Over 84 rockets and mortar shells were fired at Sderot and the western Negev on Thursday (13 March). Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) claimed responsibility for most of the attacks saying they were in response to the shooting of a PIJ leader in the West Bank on Wednesday (12 March).
In response to the continuing rocket attacks, the Knesset Finance Committee on Monday (10 March) approved a plan to reinforce schools in Sderot and the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip. Under the plan, 12 schools will be built and reinforced against rocket fire whilst existing protection for other schools in the area will also be reinforced. The Mayor of Sderot met with Labour MPs last week (12 March) and told them of the difficulties of life for residents of Sderot living under constant rocket and mortar attack.
Security: Head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad killed by Israel in West Bank raid
Israeli undercover forces killed four Palestinian militants in a raid in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on Wednesday (12 March). The dead included Mohammed Shahada, a top leader in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement.
IDF forces in the West Bank seized a truck at the Qalqilya checkpoint on 9 March carrying 70 litres of acidic materials which can be used to produce explosives. Due to a recent increase in incidents where security forces captured chemicals used to manufacture bombs, the Israeli Civil Administration Authority said it would distribute notebooks with details of 27 banned chemicals among soldiers, to help them catch dangerous contraband.
MEPP: Meeting held to review progress on Road Map commitments
US General William Fraser met with PA Prime Minister Salaam Fayad and Amos Gilad, head of the Israeli Ministry of Defence’s diplomatic political bureau, for a trilateral discussion on the implementation of the Road Map on Friday (14 March). During the meeting, Israel was criticised for not removing more roadblocks in the West Bank, not dismantling settlement outposts, and not halting settlement construction.
The committee to monitor implementation of the Road Map was set up at Annapolis in November 2007 and its first meeting comes amid a renewed diplomatic momentum around the peace process. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in the region last week (4-10 March) and is expected to visit again twice this month. UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband is also expected to visit the region in the coming months.
Quartet Middle East Envoy Tony Blair met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Wednesday (12 March) to discuss the situation in Gaza. In the meeting he said that a “different and better” strategy was needed for Gaza. He said:
“We should be doing everything we can to help the people in Gaza without helping those who are launching rockets on Israel and doing their best to undermine the [negotiating] process.” (12/03/08)
Blair also met with Israeli Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On on Wednesday (12 March). In the meeting, the two men discussed ways to forge closer economic cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Bar-On said representatives of the Israeli Finance Ministry had just met with the Israeli-Palestinian Joint Economic Committee for the first time in seven years to discuss trade, tax, infrastructure, standards and joint enterprise issues.
An international investors’ conference is due to take place in Bethlehem in May 2008 to continue recent momentum around the economic aspects of the peace process. This follows the donor conference in Paris December 2007 where $7.4 billion was pledged.
Iran: Conservatives sweep to victory in Iranian parliamentary elections
Conservative candidates retained control of the Iranian parliament in the general election on 14 March, winning nearly four times as many seats as the reformists. Reformists managed to raise their number of seats from 30 to around 50 in the 290 seat parliament despite many of their candidates being banned from standing at all. Iran’s religious constitutional watchdog, the Guardian Council, barred more than 1,700 candidates from running on vague charges of not being sufficiently loyal to Islam and the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Many of the conservative winners are critics of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and may create a new power struggle amongst the conservative leaders in the Iranian legislature.
The EU issued a statement saying the Iranian elections were neither “free nor fair” because of the disqualification of so many reformist candidates. The statement said that the EU
“…expresses its deep concern that election procedures in the Islamic Republic of Iran have fallen below the international standards…over a third of prospective candidates were prevented from standing in this year’s parliamentary elections. These exclusions prevented the Iranian people from being able to choose freely amongst the full range of political views in their country and represent a clear violation of the international norms.” (16/02/08)
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American Labour Can Help Right Anti-Israel Left tag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.32008-03-28T15:33:01Z2008-03-28T15:42:56ZFor more than two years, Israelis living in Sderot and other towns near Gaza have been the target of choice for Hamas terrorists. Launching its arsenal of Qassam rockets from residential neighborhoods and even schoolyards, they have as much as...
For more than two years, Israelis living in Sderot and other towns near Gaza have been the target of choice for Hamas terrorists. Launching its arsenal of Qassam rockets from residential neighborhoods and even schoolyards, they have as much as dared Israel to fight back. Now it has.
Predictably, much of the world is expressing its dismay — and those of us who call ourselves progressives are fuming that much of it is coming from our counterparts on the left overseas. However, it’s not enough for us to be indignant. Absent the involvement of the American labor movement, any effort to build worldwide support on the left for the Jewish state will be extraordinary difficult.
Stuart Appelbaum is president of the Jewish Labor Committee and of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.
Opinion
By Stuart Appelbaum
Thu. Mar 27, 2008
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Under construction - again!tag:www.tufi.org.uk,2008://1.12008-03-26T12:27:52Z2008-03-26T12:28:29ZThanks for your patience -- the new TUFI website will go live later today, 26 March 2008....
Thanks for your patience -- the new TUFI website will go live later today, 26 March 2008.
The Israeli national trade union centre Histadrut and the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), both of which are affiliated to the ITUC, have reached a landmark agreement to protect the rights of Palestinian workers employed by Israeli employers, and to base future relations on negotiations, dialogue and joint initiatives to advance “fraternity and coexistence between the two peoples.” The current agreement draws on the terms of an initial 1995 agreement, which it had not been possible to fully implement in the intervening years.
The key features of the agreement include the reimbursement by Histadrut to the PGFTU of the outstanding balance of union and legal representation fees paid since 1993 by Palestinians working for Israeli employers. The reimbursement is based on a detailed year-by-year analysis of the fees paid by Palestinian workers, taking into account funds previously transferred to the PGFTU. The PGFTU will have sole discretion as to how the funds will be spent, in line with its Constitution.]]>
In the future, at least 50% of the representation fees paid by Palestinians working for Israeli employers will be transferred to the PGFTU, to enable both organizations to provide representation, legal and other trade union services to the workers.
Implementation of the agreement, which was negotiated under the umbrella of the ITUC, will be overseen by a joint committee of the two organizations.
“This agreement is tremendously significant, at a time when the political authorities in Israel and Palestine and the international community are failing to find just and lasting solutions to the political impasse. It means that the PGFTU will be able to ensure much more effective representation for Palestinian workers, while those working for Israeli employers will also benefit,” said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder. “The agreement calls upon the ITUC and its affiliates to continue to support future cooperation, and we are fully committed to do this,” he added.
PGFTU General Secretary Shaher Sae’d said “This removes a key obstacle to future cooperation and the full respect of the rights of Palestinian Workers. Decent work is a foundation stone for political and economic justice, and we will now be in a position to devote even more attention to tackling the appalling state of the Palestinian economy and playing a fuller part in the quest for justice, fairness and democratic rights in the building of a Palestinian state.”
“We are very pleased that this agreement has now been reached,” said Histadrut Chairperson Ofer Eini. “Every worker, whether of Israeli, Palestinian or other origin, must have full rights to the protections offered by international labour standards. The outcome of our dialogue with the PGFTU can only help achieve this, and help lay the foundations for future cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian trade unions and progress in our shared quest for justice, peace and prosperity for all in the region,” he added.