Archive for November 2nd, 2009

The second day of the delegation included: a meeting with the Jerusalem Municipality Employees Committee, a tour of Yad Vashem museum, a tour of the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, a meeting with the Chairman of the Histadrut (Israeli TUC), Mr Ofer Eini, and finally dinner hosted by UCAPSE trade union.

The second post is written by Gerry Moloney, the Head of Communications at Advance union:

One of the most surprising things about Israel is the lack of ill-well and bad sentiment between Jewish Israelis and the Israeli-Arabs.

We have visited both Jewish orthodox areas and Arab areas and found both communities mixing freely.

Each community seemed to be perfectly at ease with the other.  This was the exact opposite of what I expected to see – it was certainly the opposite of what the media in the United Kingdom report.

Another surprise, related to the above point, was the lack of security in evidence around Jerusalem.  The media propagate Israel as being a “military state” but the reality is that there has been no military presence in evidence at all.

What has been most striking is the good-will that each community has shown to both us and each other.

Delegates with Jerusalem Municipality Employees Committee

Listening to people from both communities on the subject of the proposed international trade union boycott, it is evident that all parties oppose this action.  In a meeting with the Jerusalem Municipality workers, one view from the Palestinian contingent was that a boycott would be more detrimental to the Arab workforce than any other.

The reason for this was that in the event of economic sanctions, it would cause a detrimental impact on the employment levels of their community.

Delegates with Chairman of the Histadrut, Ofer Eini

In the afternoon we visited the Holocaust centre in Jerusalem, which was both disturbing and thought provoking in its portrayal of the events.  Anybody who intends to study the subject should visit this centre as a mandatory part of their study.

Finally, having spent a few days in Israel, I certainly intend to return for a holiday.  The reception from all communities has been most hospitable and kind to us.  The cities are both authentically traditional in parts and completely modern in other parts, the climate is a warm and inviting as any Mediterranean resort and, most importantly, completely safe.