Aberdeenshire UNISON
       
 
 

Stand with GazaBranch statement on Gaza approved at the Special Branch Committee on 12th August 2014

Branch stands with Gaza and condemns Israel’s war on children

"This Branch condemns Israel’s assault on Gaza as a barbaric collective punishment of the Gazan people. The Branch is outraged at the killing of more than 2,000 civilians in the recent assaults, the injuries to many more and the shelling of homes and infrastructure in Gaza, leaving many homeless and most without basic essentials such as water and electricity.

Furthermore, it has become clear that this is a war on children, with over 400 killed, and countless more injured and forever traumatised by the Israeli assaults.

Gazan childrenThis Branch is appalled at the attacks on UN schools in Gaza, which should have been safe havens for children and their families, and we condemn the many other acts of brutality committed by Israel against a population that is made up of 50% children, crammed into a very small area. As the assault has continued it has become clear that not only is Israel breaching international law, it is committing war crimes.

This Branch stands alongside the people of Gaza and pledges to do everything it can to press for an end to the assault on Gaza and the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and to campaign for a free State of Palestine."

GazaKate Ramsden, Branch Chair, who brought the motion along with Branch Secretary, Inez Teece, said, "Since we agreed this motion, the Branch has affiliated to Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) and Medical Aid for Palestine (MAP).

"We have also donated £200 each to DEC’s Gaza appeal and to MAP and have set up a standing order to MAP for £20 per month.

"We will now be advertising to all our members UNISON’s policy towards Israel of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS), and are calling on all our members to boycott Israeli produce in their weekly shop.

Click here for a guide to boycotting Israeli products

"This worked to bring down apartheid in South Africa and it's what we can all do to end the terrible suffering of the Palestinian people under occupation and to campaign for a free State of Palestine," added Kate.

"We will also be asking our members to support SPSC Aberdeen’s protests in Aberdeen calling for a campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS).

"We also plan to lobby MPs, MSPs and other politicians calling for them to put pressure on Israel to end the assault on Gaza and to lift the 7 year blockade."

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