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Boycott spreading in Scotland: Clackmannanshire Council joins W. Dunbartonshire and Stirling in boycott of Israel

Boycott spreading in Scotland: Clackmannanshire Council joins W.

Boycott spreading in Scotland: Clackmannanshire Council joins W. Dunbartonshire and Stirling in boycott of Israel The motion was passed nem con by a meeting of the full Council, with only three abstentions (one Labour, one SNP, and the lone Tory).

"Clackmannanshire Council condemns the Government of Israel for its continuing illegal occupation of Palestine's East Jerusalem and the West Bank and for its continuing illegal blockade of Gaza. Clackmannanshire Council welcomes the decision of the United Nations on 29 November 2012 to grant "non member observer State" to Palestine. However, for the people of Palestine, the suffering of the last 64 years continues as the Government of Israel continues to ignore and breach international law.
Just as individual sanctions against apartheid in South Africa led ultimately to its demise there, so individual and collection sanctions against the state of Israel will end apartheid and suffering in Palestine.
Clackmannanshire Council therefore resolves to resist, insofar as legislative considerations permit, any action that gives political or economic support to the State of Israel."

Clacks is the 'Wee County' in a small country but has joined a world-wide movement for Palestinian freedomClacks is the 'Wee County' in a small country but has joined a world-wide movement for Palestinian freedom
Motion to Clackmannanshire Council by Cllr Archie Drummond  Thursday 14th March 2013.

Cllr Drummond, a socialist who was elected as an Independent, reports that the debate on the motion was focussed and serious, and at least one member changed his pre-debate position and voted for the motion.

Gus Robbie is an occupational health practitioner and a member of Forth Valley Branch of SPSC who lives in the area.  Gus initated the lobbying that led to the successful vote, with other Branch members pitching in.

"We have a right to global peace, and the journey there will only be achieved by supporting human rights and the rule of law. If we continue to profit from those who perpetually flaunt these, then the future for all of us, and our children, is grim indeed."

During the Israeli mass killings of Operation Cast Lead, West Dunbartonshire Council passed a motion to support the appeal from Palestinian civil society for a campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against the state of Israel, and institutions supporting that state, until Israel respects all its obligations under international law. The response from Zionists internationally was surreal; from the USA they detected "in Scotland, a hint of Goebbels" and "a level of hatred that connects" Scotland today to Nazi Germany. TheScottish Daily Express ran a wholly ficitious story that West Dunbartonshire Council was "launching a boycott of Israeli books" and favourably quoted the Israeli Embassy's Amir Oftek, who compared the Council to Joseph Goebbels burning books by Jewish authors.

You can send a letter of support to the Clackmannanshire Council, supporting its stand for Palestinian rights and congratulating the Councillors on their opposition to Israel's illegal occupation and system of apartheid imposed on Palestine. Go to www.coordin8.org.uk - it only takes a few moments.


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