Updates on Derail Veolia Campaign (France, Ireland)
Veolia and Alstom, the two large French companies involved in the illegal "Jerusalem Light Rail" project, are suffering more setbacks, in court and on the ground.
Veolia and Alstom, the two large French companies involved in the illegal "Jerusalem Light Rail" project, are suffering more setbacks, in court and on the ground.
A French court in Nanterre rejected the two companies' claim that it had no jurisdiction in the case against them (presented by French NGO AFPS), reaffirmed that Israel is the occupying power in East Jerusalem, not the sovereign, and confirmed the illegality of Israeli colonies built on occupied Palestinian land, including in East Jerusalem.
On the ground, Veolia lost another vote of confidence. A motion that passed with overwhelming majority (12 to 2) in
"That Galway City Council follow the example of Stockholm Community Council (who have decided not to renew the contract with Veolia to operate the City's underground system as a result of Veolia's involvement in a controversial tramway project that would connect Israeli-West Jerusalem with illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory) and not renew the Veolia contract for Galway Water Services."
Resisting
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123992141785126493.html#
By DAVID GAUTHIER-VILLARS
The court decided to take up the case against French companies contracted by
A Franco-Palestinian human-rights association challenged the companies' participation, arguing that the line is designed to consolidate Israeli control over Arab districts seized after the Six-Day War in 1967. Most Israelis regard East Jerusalem as part of
The group, Association France-Palestine Solidarité, filed the complaint against
Alstom<http://online.wsj.com/public/quotes/main.html?type=djn&symbol=1022047.fr> SA and Veolia Environnement SA two years ago, arguing that the 8.3-mile project violates international law because
Veolia and Alstom quickly responded to the complaint by saying that the
An official of the tribunal of
Now the court will start looking into the substance of the complaint unless Alstom and Veolia exercise their right to appeal within one month. The companies both said they had been notified of the ruling, and an Alstom spokesman added the company will take time to study the ruling before deciding whether to appeal.
"The tribunal has backed our arguments; it's a positive step," said the association's secretary-general, Sylviane de Wangen.
Alstom and Veolia -- along with Israeli partners -- are part of a consortium that first won the
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Councillors' unable to cut ties with controversial French company
by Marie Madden
22 April 2009
Galway City Council has said it is not in a position to discontinue the contract of French multi-national Veolia, despite a majority vote by councillors. Cllr Billy Cameron had called on the council not to renew the company's contract as a result of Veolia's involvement in a controversial tramway project that would connect Israeli-West Jerusalem with illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian territory (OPT).
Stockholm Community Council have already decided not to renew their contracts with the company because of the project and councillors at Monday's meeting of Galway City Council voted 12-2 in favour of following their example.
"I believe the French conglomerate has serious questions to answer with regard to its involvement in
"I firmly believe that the movement to blacklist Veolia is only beginning and the message must go out to companies that international law and human rights take precedent over profit."
However, City Manager Joe MacGrath warned prior to the vote that the council were not in a position to terminate the contract, as they are bound by public procurement.
A spokesperson for Veolia was unavailable for comment on the issue.