[Marxism] Italy's most powerful union calls for war crimes charge, sanctions against Israel

[Stuart Munckton <stuartmunckton@xxxxxxxxx>]

Italy's Most Powerful Union: Prosecute Israeli War Crimes, Suspend EU-Israel
Agreement

*Federazione Impiegati Operai Metallurgici
nazionale*<http://www.fiom.cgil.it/>(FIOM), the largest metalworkers
union in Italy, whose membership numbers
360,000, called for prosecution of Israeli officials for war crimes and
suspension of the *EU-Israel Association
Agreement*<http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/israel/index_en.htm>as
well as of the military cooperation agreement between Italy and
Israel.
The following is *FIOM's 13 January 2009 statement on
Gaza*<http://www.fiom.cgil.it/cc/cc_09_01_13-odg_gaza-eng.pdf>published
on its Web site. -- Ed

*Federazione Impiegati Operai Metallurgici nazionale*
Corso Trieste, 36 - 00198 Roma - tel. +39 06 85262341-2 fax +39 06 85303079
*www.fiom.cgil.it* <http://www.fiom.cgil.it/> - e-mail: *
protocollo@xxxxxxxxxxxx* <protocollo@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

Comitato Centrale

*COMITATO CENTRALE F.I.O.M.*
13 gennaio 2009

*GAZA*

For nearly two years the Gaza Strip has been subjected to what can only be
described as a state of siege by Israel, with interruption of electricity,
lack of heating, scarcity of drinking water, a healthcare emergency and no
freedom of movement for persons or goods.  UN Observers have repeatedly
denounced the condition of the inhabitants of Gaza as inhumane, in violation
of all International Conventions on Human Rights.

Thus, it appears a kind of "collective punishment" has been imposed on all
Palestinians because of the vote expressed in the democratic elections two
years ago, with a Hamas victory.  For FIOM, the negative political
evaluation of this organization is not up for discussion and we reiterate
our choice to support the formation of an independent, secular and
democratic Palestinian state living in peace and mutual security with that
of Israel.  What we denounce is the international community's tolerance and,
in fact, support of the mistaken choice of the siege, which contributed to
the strengthening of the fundamentalist forces and armed groups of all
types, rather than their isolation.  The launch of Kassam rockets on Israel
is also the result of this situation.  This rocket fire is wrong and
illegal, because it hurts Israeli civilians.  It is harmful to the
Palestinian cause itself.  And it is used to create consensus in the Israeli
population on the offensive against the people of Gaza.  The Israeli army
began its attack on Gaza on December 27, 2008, with a substantial deployment
of forces, followed by a land invasion and use of white phosphorus on the
civilian population, which is banned by international conventions, causing a
true massacre, and committing intolerable war crimes for any democratic
conscience.

Israel has gone so far as to attempt to hide what is happening, preventing
International Observers and journalists from entering Gaza.  Those
responsible for these crimes must be prosecuted and judged by the relevant
international institutions.  The Israeli government should be held
accountable for its repeated violations of international law, including
humanitarian law, by national governments, the European Union, the
international community, just as violations committed by any other
government would be.

In particular, the EU-Israel Association Agreement, whose application is
bound to respect of human rights, should be immediately suspended; the
Italian government, which, unlike other European governments, has
characterized itself in a negative light by the complete subordination and
support of political choices of the Israeli government, must suspend the
Military Cooperation Agreement of Italy with Israel, a belligerent country
that violates international law and human rights.

In denouncing this situation, the FIOM Central Committee believes it
necessary to immediately ensure that all political forces, the government,
European and international institutions work for:

   - An immediate, general and permanent ceasefire;
   - Humanitarian protection of the civilian population of Gaza;
   - An end to the invasion of Gaza and withdrawal of Israeli troops;
   - Cessation of missile fire on Israel;
   - An end to the siege and embargo of Gaza;
   - Concrete steps to achieve a rapid end to the occupation of Palestinian
   territories.

These conditions can promote the opening of a negotiated peace -- based on
the resolutions of the United Nations -- which includes all stakeholders,
beginning with the legitimate institution of the PNA, and finding ways to
include Hamas as a democratically elected representative.

The FIOM Central Committee condemns all initiatives of an anti-Semitic
nature and those that deny the right of the State of Israel to exist.

We judge negatively all anti-Arab or anti-Muslim expressions.

We express our solidarity to Palestinian people and our support to that
brave minority inside Israeli civil society that is fighting against the
occupation, against the Gaza siege and the current massacre.

We commit ourselves to supporting the above-mentioned objectives and in
participating in all the activities that focus on them.

On the 17th of January, different groups and coalitions called for two
separate demonstrations for the ceasefire in Gaza.  Although we think these
simultaneous demonstration inopportune, we believe that it is essential that
the two initiatives not to be in contrast, because in both cases the
demonstrations are in solidarity with Palestinian people and to stop the
massacre.

Therefore, FIOM, in addition to participating in *the demonstration in
Assisi*<http://www.fiomromasud.org/sito/modules/xgallery/slideshow.php?set_albumName=album31>,
called by Tavola della Pace, that engages the whole of Cgil, will also be
present with a delegation at *the demonstration in
Rome*<http://www.fiom.cgil.it/internazionale/mondo/palestina_israele/09_01_17-album/index.html>,
called by the Palestinian Community.

-- 
"The free market is perfectly natural... do you think I am some kind of
dummy?" - Jarvis Cocker

"Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious" - Oscar Wilde
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