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Issue No. 130 | 05 April 2002 |
Lights Out on The Hill
Interview: Change Agent Industrial: Balancing the Books Unions: Breaking Out Politics: Pissing on the Light on the Hill History: Of Death and Taxes International: Now That's a Strike! Satire: Mugabe Voted Miss Zimbabwe: Denies Election Rigged Poetry: Flick Go The Branches Review: Red, Red Clydeside
Brogden's Worker Creds On The Line Melbourne Faces Budget Day Gridlock Unions Call for Middle East Peace Queensland Casuals Step Forward Worker Stood Down for Dunny Action Indigenous Jobs on Union Agenda Building Workers Honour Fallen Cop Robbo and Latham to Go Three Rounds ACT Health Workers Flex Muscles Casual Rights On Agenda As Full-Time Jobs Collapse Workers Health Centre Offers Affordable Care
The Soapbox Sport Week in Review Postcard
Chikka's Legacy Socialists in the UK Organising Globally Grape Disappointment Union Resignations : Crisis or Opportunity?
Labor Council of NSW |
News Unions Call for Middle East Peace
The NSW Labor Council last night passed a resolution calling on the leaders of both sides to enter a dialogue and urged peak union bodies form Israel and Palestine to play a central role in righting the peace process. Speaking to the resolution the CFMEU's Andrew Ferguson said the invasion of Plaestinian towns and villages and the killing of innocent people would only generate more support for suicide bombers. In backing the resolution, the LHMU's Andrew Casey - an active member of Sydney's Jewish community - warned delegates not to view Israel as a "monolith". Casey said there were at least six active peace groups in Israel, including an anti-conscription movement of reservists refusing to cross into the West Bank. He said many Israeli's, including high-ranking military officers, were currently in jail for their beliefs. The full Labor Council resolution reads: The Labor Council condemns the latest escalation of violence and war in the continuing territorial dispute between the Palestinians and Israelis. Labor Council calls upon the Israeli Government to immediately withdraw their military forces from the territories administered by the Palestinian Authority and especially to halt military action against civilians and requests both Prime Minister Sharon and Chairman Arafat to immediately enter into dialogue to seek a lasting peace in the region. Council recognizes that this process must involve the United Nations. Further, Labor Council calls on all sides in the conflict to agree to a cessation of all violence including acts of terrorism by suicide bombers. Further, that the peace process and mutual dialogue between the parties be re-initiated as a matter of urgency. The Labor Council praises the people on both sides including international activists who "against the odds" are working for a peaceful resolution, based on mutual respect and reconciliation, to this crisis. Further, we note that relations between the Histradut, the General Federation of Labour in Israel, and the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions, have collapsed as a result of the current conflict. We urge the two trade union groupings to re-establish relationships and, in the tradition of labour solidarity, play a central role in assisting with the resolution of the current crisis in the interests of all working people in the region. Further, this resolution be forwarded to the Israeli Government, Palestinian Authority, Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions and the General Federation of Labour in Israel. Union Project Victim of Palestine Conflict Meanwhile, Australia's Union Aid Abroad organisation (APHEDA) has deplored the recent destruction of the offices of its partner organisation, Ma'an Development Centre in Ramallah. Peter Jennings, Executive Officer of APHEDA (Australian People for Health Education and Development Abroad) said two floors of the Ma'an Centre were destroyed when the Israeli military raided and set fire to the Labour centre on the third floor of the Chamber of Commerce building in central Ramallah city. The Ma'an training rooms and offices on the above floors were also destroyed. Water was cut off and the fire brigade was not allowed access to fight the fire. Since 1989 substantial AusAID funding and donations from the Australian community have been invested in Ma'an for skills training for the Palestinian people. "This attack by the Israeli forces along with another attack on the Al Asra' building housing local non-governmental organisations and human rights groups is a deliberate attempt by the Israeli military to undermine positive local and international contributions to peace building," Mr Jennings said.. Ma'an director, Sami Khader, called for lifting the siege on Palestinian communities. "There is a critical need for international peace monitors and emergency assistance. We have no water, food, electricity or access to medical services," he said. Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA, the humanitarian overseas aid arm of the Australian Trade Union Movement, assists more than 50 skills training projects in 15 countries, including projects with Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza and Lebanon. APHEDA supports the call for international monitors and the implementation of United Nations resolutions, starting with an immediate withdrawal by the Israeli military from the territories occupied in 1967.
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