In an article today for the LA Times, Palestinian author and activist Ali Abunimah argues that the BDS movement is pressuring Israel to Palestinian rights:

Absent any real action by the United States or other governments to hold Israel accountable, it is up to civil society to step in.

Veolia and Alstom feel the heat – BNC calls for intensifying pressure!

Occupied Palestine, November 2010 - Veolia and Alstom, the two French companies involved in the construction and management of a tramway linking west Jerusalem with illegal Israeli colonial settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory, described by the UN Human Rights Council as a “clear violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions,”1 have both recently been reported to be selling their shares in the consortium that manages the project.

4th October 2010

Brendan Barber General Secretary Trades Union Congress Congress House Great Russell Street London WC1B 3LS

Dear Mr Barber,

The Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC), of which all of Palestinian trade union federations are members, warmly welcomes the recent passing of a motion at the UK Trades Union Congress (TUC) that sets out plans for boycotting the products of and divesting from Israeli and international companies that are implicated in Israel's occupation and colonial settlements.

The global trade union movement has consistently demons