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  9. UCU statement on Gaza and details on how to donate to aid relief

UCU statement on Gaza and details on how to donate to aid relief

7 January 2009

UCU today called for an immediate ceasefire to the violence in Gaza and urged Israel to open up the borders to Gaza to allow emergency aid through. In its statement the union made particular reference to the attacks on educational establishments and the damage it believes that will do in the search for a lasting peace. UCU condemned the Hamas rocket attacks, but described the Israeli response as disproportionate.

The union also gave its backing to the TUC Aid appeal for contributions to support emergency humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza and advised its members how to donate.

The full UCU statement on Gaza:

'UCU fully condemns the Israeli invasion of Gaza, which we believe will once again put off the search for lasting peace. We are horrified by the killing and wounding of civilians, including many children, and note particularly that many of them have occurred in education institutions and property under the protection of the United Nations (UN). Years of Israeli blockades of the Gaza Strip mean that the suffering of the wounded is compounded by the desperate shortage of the most basic medical supplies.

'We condemn the Hamas rocket attacks, which are the pretext for the invasion, however the Israeli attacks are in clear defiance of the principle of proportionality enshrined in international law. We join the TUC and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in calling for an early ceasefire, brokered by the UN. We further call for Israel to open up the borders of Gaza to humanitarian aid, and for the EU to use its influence with Israel to bring them to the negotiating table with the elected authorities in Gaza.

'The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights identifies the right to education as a human right. We are extremely alarmed by the attacks on educational establishments. We strongly believe that education will be central to finding a peaceful resolution in the Middle East.'

In her role as TUC international spokesperson, UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, will be speaking at the Stop the Massacre: Israel Out of Gaza national demonstration at Hyde Park on Saturday (10 January). See www.palestinecampaign.org for more details.

UCU is backing the TUC Aid appeal for contributions to support emergency humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza. All proceeds will be forwarded through the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). The first ITF-PGFTU humanitarian flight is due to leave for Gaza tomorrow. All cheques should be drawn in favour of TUC Aid - Give for Gaza - and sent to TUC Aid, EUIRD, TUC, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LS. 

Last updated: 4 May 2020

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