Opposing Israeli Apartheid: Australian Unions and the International Boycott campaign

Speakers:
UnionsACT Secretary Kim Sattler
Health & Community Services Union Organiser, Ginny Adams

Both Sattler and Adams were participants in Apheda's Middle East study tour
(additional speakers TBC)

Saturday, August 7 @ 2pm

Victorian Trades Hall,

Cnr. Victoria and Lygon Street.

In 2004, Archbishop Desmond Tutu a South African leader who campaigned against apartheid wrote:

“The end of apartheid stands as one of the crowning accomplishments of the past century, but we would not have succeeded without the help of international pressure – in particular the divestment movement of the 1980s. Over the past six months, a similar movement has taken shape, this time aiming at an end to the Israeli occupation.”

One of the critical sectors in South Africa's Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign was the international trade union movement. Around the world from the UK to South Africa unions are again taking up the BDS call - this time against Israel. Palestinian unions issued a "Worker's Boycott Call" in February 2007, which called on the international labour movement to “boycott and divest from Israel and work towards sanctions upon Israel, until Israel stops its crimes against our people and implements international law safeguarding human rights for all”. In Australia 12 union bodies have already adopted motions in support of BDS. This is a great start but how can we further use our union organisations to put pressure on Israel to end their racist policies?

There is a proud tradition in the Australian trade union movement of standing in solidarity with oppressed peoples against colonialism, occupation and exploitation. Examples of Australian Trade Unions solidarity include not only their opposition to South African Apartheid but also against PM Bob Menzie’s support of the Japanese occupation in China; against Dutch colonialism in Indonesia and Australia trade unions also stood with the people of East Timor against the Indonesian military occupation.

Entry by donation.

For more info contact James 0403 943 529

This event is co-organised by Apheda (Union Aid Abroad) and Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC)

If your union is interested in endorsing this forum please e-mail

www.palestinesolidaritycampaign.net