6 August, 2014IndustriALL Global Union is asking its affiliates to mark your commitment to peace on 7 August by joining the ITUC’s global Call to Action over the appalling death toll of civilians in Gaza.
Schools, hospitals and the only power station have been bombed, drawing heavy condemnation from the United Nations, several of whose personnel have also lost their lives. The targeting of civilians is against international law and the UN has called for accountability and justice.
The only solution is a permanent cease-fire with the intervention of the international community to force the parties to the table to conclude a negotiated settlement that ends the blockade of Gaza and the occupation of Palestine. The people of Israel and the people of Palestine will only be assured of a peaceful and secure future with a two-state solution, where all people can live in peace and security and build a future for themselves and their children.
What you can do:
Beginning on 7 August you can support the ITUC campaign by the following actions:
Lobby your government (via face-to-face visits, telephone calls and social media messages) to intervene and support a five point plan for peace including:
A permanent cease-fire;
Humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza;
The immediate suspension of all transfers of weapons, munitions and other military equipment and technology being used against civilians;
An end of the blockade of Gaza;
A negotiated settlement to bring about a two-state solution with the legitimacy of international law.
On Thursday 7 August, send a message on Twitter to the @UN and your national government to support peace.
We @ (Your union name) support peace & democracy everywhere. @UN (@your national government or politician) act now for #gaza.
If you are not on Twitter, you can post a message on your Facebook page.
The ITUC is calling on affiliates and trade union members to make a commitment to peace and send a postcard to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to show that he has our support to deliver peace.
To take part in the ITUC postcard campaign, go to the website www.bypost.com/peacelikemine and use a PC or mobile device to send a real postcard which will be delivered to the UN Secretary-General in New York with your personal message and photo.
The photo can show your personal experience of peace, and you can send a message about what you want for the people of Palestine and Israel and call on the UN Secretary-General to protect the people of Gaza and deliver a permanent peace. This website www.bypost.com/peacelikemine will go live Thursday August 7th.
Make urgent financial contributions to the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s (ITF) humanitarian relief initiative for Gaza, at www.itfgazafund.org