June 20th, 2007
Today, UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union, called for a total cultural, economic, academic, and sporting boycott of Israel until it ends its occupation of the Palestinian territories.
Most Americans probably wonder why the UK is engaged in a human rights action against Israel, whereas we in the US seem far away from even thinking of about a boycott of Israel. The contrast seems inconceivable. Yet, this news is not bogus. The likely reason for this difference of perspective is that news about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict broadcast in the UK is entirely different from news presented to people in the US.
If you haven’t seen Peace, Propaganda, & The Promised Land (above, click here), it might be difficult to appreciate that we in the US mostly receive propaganda, while people in the UK receive news that depicts reality.
Here is the story reported on the International Solidarity Movement site:
The UK’s largest trade union, UNISON, advocated on Wednesday a total boycott of Israel over its continued occupation of Palestinian territories.
A statement issued by delegates meeting in Brighton read: “The conference believes that ending the occupation demands concerted and sustained pressure upon Israel including an economic, cultural, academic and sporting boycott”.
In addition, delegates called on the British government to press for an arms embargo against Israel.
Speaking to Ynet, the union’s secretary, Miri Maguire, said the call was symbolic and carried little practical consequences.
“We support the State of Israel and will continue our good relations with professional Israeli unions. But the aim of our call is to end Israel’s occupation,” Maguire said.
The union also called on Israel to retreat to the borders before the Mideast war of 1967, to allow Palestinian refugees to return to a future Palestinian state and to dismantle its settlements in the Golan Heights.
Delegates also condemned an economic boycott imposed on the Palestinian Authority last year when Hamas won the general elections.