Histadrut Statement calls for Peace and Co-operation and is welcomed by ITUC
11 September 2009
The Histadrut (Israeli TUC) has released a statement to the world-wide trade union movement outlining its support for a two-state solution, Israeli and Palestinian workers’ rights and its developing relationship with Palestinian trade unions.
The Histadrut urges “the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority (PA) to immediately resume their negotiations,” and says it understands and is concerned “by the effects the restrictions on movement and the security fence/wall can have on the lives of Palestinian workers and their families”. The federation says it supports the decision to remove security checkpoints in the context of the renewed security situation and calls upon the “Israeli government to dismantle all illegal outposts”.
The statement goes on to say that the Histadrut recognises these problems and steadfastly works with the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) to mitigate them whilst negotiations on the wider issues take place.
Israeli and Palestinian trade unions have been successfully working together and signing co-operation agreements over the last few years, and the Histadrut’s statement says it is their duty, as trade unionists, to be involved with the peace process and serve as role-models.
Lastly, on the issue of boycotts, the Histadrut says:
“We believe that conflicts are solved by dialogue and negotiations, and not by boycotts. When our two trade union movements in the region have never supported or asked for anyone to initiate a boycott, it is unhelpful for one to be promoted.
Were a boycott to be implemented, the first victims would be Palestinian workers and the West Bank economy. Most importantly, boycotts place additional obstacles between the two peoples and agitate the positive atmosphere which exists between us and the PGFTU.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine is very complex and our goal is to reach an understanding and to look for common denominators. We believe that the only way to overcome the hostility is through peace and trust, such as that which exists today between the Histadrut and the PGFTU.”
The International Trades Union Confederation (ITUC) welcomed the statement on 14 September. Guy Ryder, the ITUC General Secretary, said:
“With the urgent need for decisive movement towards an acceptable solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict, this statement by the Histadrut is an important and welcome call for dialogue and progress to achieve the objective of two states co-existing in conditions of peace and security, and full respect for the rights of all working people.”
Read the full statement HERE.
Bookmark this page with: