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1 Nov, 2014

Global Trades Union Blasts Israeli Settlement Expansion, Calls for Full Recognition of Palestine

Brussels, 29 October 2014 (ITUC OnLine):  The International Trade Union Confederation has condemned Israel’s intention to build yet another 1,000 settlement dwellings in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.  The ITUC represents 176 million workers in 161 countries and territories and has 324 national affiliates.

Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said, “Binyamin Netanyahu’s government is treating the international community with total contempt, and trampling further on the rights and livelihoods of Palestinians with this provocative and illegal move.  Governments around the world should respond by giving formal recognition to the State of Palestine, and acting to stop any form of international involvement in building and sustaining these illegal settlements.”

The adoption by the Irish Senate last week of a Resolution to recognise the State of Palestine follows the announcement by Sweden’s government that it plans to formally recognise Palestine, and a recognition motion passed overwhelmingly by the UK Parliament earlier this month.

“Well over 100 countries have now formally recognised the Palestinian State, with parliaments in many others also passing symbolic motions.  Symbolic recognition needs to be turned into action, so that the long-promised two-state solution for Israel and Palestine can become a reality.  There is every reason for Palestinians to have international recognition, and no good reason for yet further delay.  The status quo is a threat to peace and stability in the region and a denial of human rights for the Palestinian people,” said Burrow.

The ITUC is also supporting the call by the Palestinian Authority on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the UN to afford special protection status to Palestine.

“The international community needs to step up to the task of helping rebuild the Gaza Strip, and the political stagnation which is stopping progress needs to be turned into real action by the global community to break the impasse,” said Burrow.

ITUC 2014 Congress Statement http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/ituc-3co-e-5-congressstatement-en-210×297-01-140819.pdf

ITUC 2010 Congress Statement http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/2CO_09_Peace_Disarmament_and_UN_03-10-2.pdf