Thu 3 June 2010
UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector union, today unreservedly condemned the Israeli attack on the Gaza Flotilla and the killing of ten civilians calling the British Government’s response “muted”.
A statement from the union’s ruling body – its National Executive Council – sent very deep condolences to the families of the dead, and a commitment to sending a formal protest to the Israeli embassy in the UK.
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:
“The Israel attack on this aid flotilla, which was also in international waters, is an outrage. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the ten civilians who were killed in this raid.
“The Government’s muted response to the attack is in stark contrast to those other countries who called for the immediate release of their citizens being held by the Israelis. Volunteers were held prisoner by Israel and pressured into signing statements saying that they had entered into Israel illegally. This is a disgraceful way to treat a convoy bringing much needed aid to the people of Gaza.
“On behalf of the union’s National Executive Council, I will be making a formal protest to the Israeli embassy in London as well as writing to Foreign Secretary, William Hague, about the UK government’s muted response.
“I will be urging our members to support the national demonstration in London on 5 June to show the strength of feeling.”
UNISON is calling for an immediate, unconditional end to the siege of Gaza by Israel and for humanitarian aid, including construction materials for the buildings destroyed 18 months ago, to be allowed in.
ends
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