Solidarity with Palestinian general strike
 
Fórsa official Richy Carrothers, who chairs Trade Union Friends of Palestine said the BDS campaign was a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality.
Fórsa official Richy Carrothers, who chairs Trade Union Friends of Palestine said the BDS campaign was a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality.

Fórsa and other Irish trade unions extended support and solidarity to Palestine's general strike on (18th May) in protest of the Israeli armed forces’ continued deadly attacks on Gaza.

 

In a video message, Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan threw the union’s weight behind an international day of action against the attacks. “Everyone at Fórsa sends a message of support and solidarity to the Palestinian people,” he said.

 

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) had met with Palestine ambassador to Ireland, Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, the previous Friday. ICTU general secretary Patricia King expressed condolences to the ambassador, and the people of Palestine, on the tragic loss of life following the disproportionate assault on Gaza by Israeli military forces this week.

 

She said it was heart-breaking to see Palestinian families being thrown out of their homes to make way for Israeli settlers, and that the “unjust and illegal” occupation of Palestine and annexation of Palestinian land was the root cause of this “ongoing human tragedy.”

 

Fórsa also condemned the recent events in occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza, and expressed the union’s deepest condolences for those – including children –tragically have died in the escalated violence.

 

Kevin Callinan said the international community must play its part in increasing pressure on Israel to end the blatant violation of human rights. He said the Israeli state must “be held to account for its actions, and the ongoing refusal to abide by international law.”

 

Fórsa supports the boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) movement to end Israel’s illegal occupation and oppression of Palestine.

 

“We in the Irish trade union movement join those international voices calling for an immediate cessation of the aggression and violence and for Israel to comply with international law,” said Kevin.

 

Today in Jerusalem and across Palestine, workers are observing a general strike to protest against Israel’s repression and the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.

 

Fórsa official Richy Carrothers, who chairs Trade Union Friends of Palestine, said: “As Israel unleashes further indiscriminate air and ground attacks on defenceless innocent people across Gaza and the West Bank, the international community should no longer avert their eyes or engage in hand-wringing diplomacy. We need action today. Israel must be held accountable for their actions and the slaughter and ongoing ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.”

 

Richy said the BDS campaign was a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity.

 

“Israel is occupying and colonising Palestinian land, discriminating against Palestinians and denying refugees the right to return home. Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, BDS urges action to pressure Israel to comply with international law. We should all join the fight for Palestinian justice and liberation. BDS presents our best opportunity to show our solidarity,” he said.

 

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