GENERAL COUNCIL STATEMENT
MIDDLE EAST 24 April 2002
The General Council reiterate their deep concern at the continuing violence in the Middle East. They call on the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority immediately to implement a meaningful ceasefire, renunciation of all acts of violence, and co-operation by their leaders with the aim of resuming negotiations on a political settlement, in line with UN Security Council Resolutions. This requires an immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian territories and resolute steps to stop the terror bombings against Israeli civilians.

They are concerned at the decision of the Israeli Government not to accept a fact-finding mission headed by Mr Martti Ahtisaari, the former President of Finland, and including a Military Adviser from the US, mandated by the Security Council to visit the region and to develop accurate information regarding recent events at the Jenin refugee camp on the West Bank. Such a refusal can only fuel speculation that the Israeli Defence Force acted in breach of international standards in time of conflict. They call for the mission to begin its work as quickly as possible and for the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to co-operate fully with it.

The General Council are also concerned at the massive medical and humanitarian emergency in Palestinian areas and emphasize the urgency of access for organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).  They call on affiliated unions to contribute generously to the UNRWA emergency appeal for the West Bank and Gaza. The TUC in co-operation with the ICFTU and affiliates will be considering how best to assist the PGFTU, particularly in relation to the reconstruction of its Nablus office.

The General Council welcome the joint visit to the region of the General Secretaries of the ICFTU and ETUC and the expression to them by Histadrut and Palestinian trade union leaders of a real commitment to peace, genuine concern for those suffering on the other side of the conflict, a desire for an end to terror and violence, and the reopening of negotiations aiming to assure the peaceful coexistence of two states within secure and recognized borders.
 

Dedicated to the memory of
Dr Yousef Allan
1952-2001