Unions NSW on Gaza

Date: 06 January 2009

Trade unions from Palestine and Israel are continuing to work co-operatively across the border between the two states, providing support for working people and demonstrating that a peace process is still possible.

Union Aid Abroad has set up the Gaza Emergency Appeal and donations are going directly to the El Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital in southern Gaza, which has a rapidly increasing caseload of civilians with serious injuries since the most recent escalation in the conflict began.

Unions NSW Acting Secretary Chris Christodoulou said he was alarmed by the escalation of violence associated with the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel and the unacceptable impact on innocent lives.

"Unions NSW believes the Israeli government's major military assault on Gaza in recent days is unacceptable, as is the continued firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas militants."

"The only people suffering by this action are the dispossessed and working people who live in Gaza and South Israel, including the city of Sedorot."

Unions NSW also called on the Rudd Labor Government to use all diplomatic means to secure an immediate and independently verifiable ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.

Unions NSW also praised the trade union movement and associated NGOs in Palestine (the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions) and Israel (the Histadrut) for their co-operative programs across the Green Line.

These programs, with the support of unions across the globe, should be expanded to improve the lives of working people, build grassroots trust and enhance the peace process, Mr Christodoulou said.

"Violent actions will do nothing to restore respect for human rights or bring about a lasting peace in the region.

"We condemn the killing of innocent civilians on both sides and calls upon the leadership of Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire."

Workers around the world have never been the beneficiaries but rather have been the people who suffer from conflicts such as this.

The international trade union movement also has a role to play to bring about peace Mr Christodoulou said.

Anyone can go to Union Aid Abroad to make a donation at: http://www.apheda.org.au/ or call 9264 9343 for more information.

Further information

Tim Fitzsimmons on 0423 375 522.

For further information

Contact:	Chris Christodolou
Union:	Unions NSW
Contact Mobile:	0425 231 813
WWW:	http://workers.labor.net.au/

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