Across historic Palestine, organised in Israel by the High Follow Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, in the West Bank, led by the General Union of Teachers, and supported by the New Federation of Trade Unions, they call on workers, unions and movements across the world to mark this as a day for actions and solidarity with the Palestinian people, wherever they are.
Sparked by Israeli policies of ethnic cleansing in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of Jerusalem, the violent attacks against the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian presence in the Old City of Jerusalem, the assaults against Palestinian citizens of Israel by the Israeli forces and settlers and most importantly the barbaric bombardment of the Gaza Strip, the strike is part of the popular uprising against Israel’s ongoing policies of occupation, settler-colonialism and the continued ethnic cleansing of Palestinian communities everywhere.
Trade Unions in Scotland are asked to make preparations for the coming weekend of action in our cities and communities, organised and supported by Scottish PSC around a Global Day of Action on Saturday, building on the inspiring global demonstrations this past weekend. Show Palestinians in Gaza and everywhere, again, that they are not alone.
Also supported by the European Trade Union Network for Justice in Palestine.
- Send messages of solidarity from your trade union branch to info@scottishpsc.org.uk
- Register for this solidarity event, 18 May 2021, 7pm – Join Palestinian General Strike: LIVE from Jerusalem, the West Bank, Haifa, Gaza
Please commit to working for Palestinian freedom and the Palestinian BDS Call:
- Become a member and affiliate your trade union branch to Scottish PSC – we have been working 365 days a year since 2000 to campaign for solidarity that is effective in support of the Palestinian people.
- We work with and seek new partners in Palestine, across Europe, internationally and in Scotland.
- We are a wholly volunteer organisation that rely on our membership and on donations.
- By simply becoming a member you will make a difference. If you are also able to offer us your skills and time then there is every opportunity to get more involved.
- At a time when the Israeli lobby work across Scotland, internationally and with the Israeli government, it is crucial we do the same to organise, educate and agitate with a priority to take forward the BDS campaign.
- Boycott Israeli goods – at the very least on an individual level we should all be boycotting Israeli goods.
- In practice, this means checking labels in supermarkets and make sure you don’t buy anything labelled ‘Made in Israel‘. It is important to note that goods have been found to be mislabeled as ‘West Bank’ which are actually Israeli / from illegal settler farms rather than Palestinian.
- It is important to also ask to speak to the store manager and explain why you will not be buying Israeli goods and let them know that you will be telling your friends and family to buy these goods elsewhere until the store removes Israeli goods from their shelves.
- Time to Divest – most supporters of Palestinian rights already boycott Isreali goods. Even more important than individuals taking action, is for us to take collective action.
- Everybody in Scotland can pressure local authority pension funds to end their investments in companies that arm or finance Israeli apartheid. Already, Tayside and Falkirk Pension Funds have dropped their investments in Israeli Bank Hapoalim who funds illegal settlement building in Occupied Palestine – they did this because hundreds of constituents and pension funds members wrote to their Councillors, and because of the work of trade union members, in particular Unison Scotland activists.
- Help us to make sure they divest!
- Stop the JNF – the JNF is involved in the evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are Honorary Patrons of this bogus charity. Help us make sure they are not welcome to the COP26 world climate conference in Glasgow!
- What is the role of the JNF in the Palestinian Nakba?
- Are you a member of a community group, a campaign or trade union? You can make a difference. Endorsing organisations include Scottish TUC and Friends of the Earth Scotland.
- Get in touch to find out more about the JNF. We can provide training and resources to help you; ask your group / trade union branch to:
- Endorse the Stop the JNF Call for Action
- Endorse the declaration to keep the JNF out of COP26
- Make a donation to the Plant a Tree in Palestine project – we work with Palestinian partners to support Palestinian popular resistance
- Get in touch to find out more about the JNF. We can provide training and resources to help you; ask your group / trade union branch to:
