On
29 November 2007, the day that the UN proclaimed as the
International Day of Solidarity with Palestine, the largest
Dutch trade union, FNV ABVAKABO, with over 350,000 members, sent
a letter to its colleagues at the Palestinian Health Services
Union and Public Services Union, based on a decision of its
membership. FNV ABVAKABO informed the unions about the
postponement of its solidarity conference that was planned on
that day. They assured the Palestinian trade unions that the
union will put pressure on Israel to comply with international
law.
Solidarity policy
Since 1994 Palestine has been part of FNV ABVAKABO international
solidarity policy. In its letter to the Palestinian unions it
refers to a resolution of the International Confederation of
Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) which was adopted in December 2004.
The ICFTU has 241 affiliated organizations in 156 countries with
a membership of 155 million. The resolution calls for the
immediate ending of the occupation of 1967 in the West Bank and
Gaza, including the existence of the wall and Jewish
settlements.
While preparing the solidarity conference FNV ABVAKABO will
involve more FNV affiliates and point out to the Dutch
government and parliament their responsibility to hold Israel
accountable to comply with international law.
In the letter to the Palestinian unions it is made clear that
the solidarity conference was postponed because a key
Palestinian speaker could not join the conference. It will be
held as soon as possible.
Boycott of Israel
The July 2005 Palestinian civil society call for boycott,
divestement and sanctions against Israel until it complies with
International law and universal principles of human rights was
signed by several trade unions like the Palestinian General
Federation of Trade Unions, the General Union of Palestinian
Teachers, and the Federation of Unions of Palestinian
Universities' Professors and Employees. On 20 October 2007 the
General Union of Palestine Workers (GUPW) released a statement
in which it expressed support to all efforts of the boycott,
divestment and sanctions campaign to achieve a just peace and
freedom and independence for the Palestinian people. In the
statement GUPW specifically expresses its support to the boycott
of the Israeli labor union Histradrut, also by international
trade unions, because Histradrut's "lack of position to end the
Israeli occupation of Palestine."
In an article by Cnaan Liphshiz published by Haaretz on
29 November 2007, Ronnie Naftaniel raised his concern that
Histadrut was not invited for the FNV ABVAKABO solidarity
conference. Naftaniel is described by Liphshiz the head of "the
Dutch pro-Zionist Center for Information and Documentation on
Israel." Liphshiz writes that the shelving of the solidarity
conference of FNV ABVAKABO ended concerns of a boycott against
Israel. At the same time Liphshiz quotes a spokesman of the
Dutch trade union, who says "ABVAKABO didn't decide to rule out
a boycott call, nor do we intend to do so." This last quote is
more in line with the reality. The largest Dutch trade union
expressed its commitment towards its Palestinian colleagues to
increase the pressure on Israel to comply with international law
and it will hold a solidarity conference with trade unionists
from Palestine. The efforts of Naftaniel and Liphshiz to paint
another picture will not stop FNV ABVAKABO.
Adri Nieuwhof is a
consultant and human rights advocate.
