Trade unions, charities and other NGOs are urging Fórsa members to sign a new European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) petition, which calls for an end to European Union trade with illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.

Under the ECI, the European Commission is obliged to act if a million signatures are gathered from across the EU by next February. You can sign HERE. 

As well as Fórsa, the Irish coalition supporting the ECI includes Trocaire, Christian Aid Ireland, the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Action Aid, Comhlámh, NUS-USI, Sadaka, Trade Union Friends of Palestine and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

They hope to reach 100,000 signatures by the end of this month. More than 50,000 were gathered earlier in the year before a break in campaigning due to the war in Ukraine.

The initiative calls on the European Commission to proposes legislation to prevent the EU member states from trading with illegal settlements in occupied territories. It seeks to regulate commercial transactions with entities operating in occupied territories by withholding products originating from there from entering the EU market.

After the collection and certification of a million signatures, the organisers plan to meet with the Commission and European Parliament within three months. Sign the petition HERE. 

It’s never been more important – or easier – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE.