COSATU condemns Israeli attacks 06- 29 - 06

Israeli attacks condemned

The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemns and deplores Israel's latest attacks on the people of Palestine. On the pretext of freeing one individual army corporal, the Israeli forces have:

Arrested more than 64 Hamas members, including eight ministers (a third of the Palestinian Cabinet) and 24 MPs, in a military raid into the West Bank. Palestinian sources say that some of those arrested were blindfolded and handcuffed.
Launched an air attack on southern Gaza. Many people who are already facing a dire humanitarian crisis because of cuts in international funding since Hamas took office, are now without electricity after war planes struck a power plant and knocked out three bridges.
Fired shells into northern Gaza, and are reportedly preparing to send in tanks, armoured vehicles and bulldozers;
Sent warplanes over the palace of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, where they claim several Hamas leaders are sheltering.

The new Israeli political leaders are continuing the same ruthless policies as former Prime Minister Sharon. They are hoping to destroy the leadership of the Palestinian people and break their will to resist. They are clearly not serious about wanting to move towards self-determination, democracy and human rights for the people of Palestine.

But the people are still standing firm and no amount of repression will force them to give up their struggle against Israeli oppression and for national liberation.

As COSATU President Willie Madisha, wrote, in support of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which recently passed a strong resolution condemning the Israeli regime: "It is time for the global workers' movement to stand firm and principled against hypocrisy and double standards. We cannot remain silent any longer. It is time to stand in word and in deed with the peoples of the Middle East and heed their call to support the struggle against occupation. There will be no peace in this region and in the world, without justice.

COSATU demands that:

Israel must respect and implement all resolutions passed by the United Nations;
The right of return of Palestinian refugees must not be compromised;
Israel must respect the democratically elected government of Palestine;
Palestinian taxes collected by Israel must be returned to the elected representatives of Palestine unconditionally;
This latest act of aggression must be halted immediately and all troops removed from Palestine territory.