The actions of Israel in attacking a ship carrying 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid only serves to expose the ongoing cruelty of the illegal occupation by Israel of Palestinian land. If Israel is prepared to act with such brutality against foreign citizens in international waters, we can only wonder what the Israeli security forces must get up to in the occupied territories when no international scrutiny or television coverage is present to monitor their behaviour.
Recently the CFMEU became the first national Australian union to join the boycott of goods produced in the illegal Israeli settlements.
The events of the past 24 hours reinforce the need for international pressure to be brought to bear on Israel.
We call on other Australian organisations including trade unions and community based groups to adopt the ban on Israeli goods produced in the illegal settlements. This is a tangible and powerful expression of international pressure which can send a clear message to the Israeli Government that they must alter their present aggressive course.
Only a just peace built on a secure two state solution will let the Palestinian people begin the long process of rebuilding. That process of rebuilding will be delayed without international pressure.
2 June 2010 John Sutton National Secretary CFMEU
