The Australian Services Union (ASU) Executive yesterday condemned the attack by the Israel Defence Forces on the Gaza peace flotilla and called for the immediate lifting of the Israeli siege on Gaza.
The Executive also resolved to join the International union and civil society campaign of Boycotts, Divestments and Sanctions to pressure Israel to abide by international law in their treatment of the Palestinian people. The resolution was:
“This Executive condemns violence in all its forms. We also condemn racism, including anti-Semitism and discrimination against individual’s or people because of their race or religion. We also believe in the importance of international law and that all countries should abide by and uphold international law to ensure the human rights of all peoples are protected and not abused or undermined.
We believe that Israel and Palestine have the right to exist as States within the borders of the 1967 UN resolution and that both States should have the right to security within their borders.
We have heard the report from the Secretary on the current situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and in Gaza. We express our deep concern at the Israeli government’s actions which contravene international law, violate the human rights of Palestinians and work against the securing of a long term peace. We condemn the building of illegal settlements and a wall that goes beyond the 1967 borders. We also condemn the use of checkpoints within the occupied territories which humiliate and severely disrupt the economic and day to day life of Palestinians. The situation for Palestinian refugees is unacceptable and we support their right of return or just compensation. Finally, we condemn the siege on Gaza which is having extremely serious humanitarian consequences for the 1.5 million living in the Gaza strip.
As we believe that international law should be upheld, we resolve to support consumer boycotts of products made in the illegal settlements, as well as consumer boycotts of companies who assist in, or profit from, the occupation of Palestinian territories. In addition, we resolve to review our investments and divest from such companies. We believe that it is immoral for companies to profit from the violation of international law and that no support, including economic support, should be given to the illegal settlements.
We resolve to continue to participate in these boycotts and our divestment under the banner of the international BDS movement until Israel abides by international law as detailed above”.