AWU (Australian Workers' Union) National Secretary slams BDS

[oberliner]

At a time of a new threat to Israel, a spreading international de-legitimisation campaign largely under the banner of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, I am proud to be a firm supporter of the State of Israel. This support for the State of Israel – and the two state solution – is part of a long tradition in our union.

I am proud of the fact that our union believes in, and supports, democratic societies, democratic institutions. I am proud to say our union has a long history of supporting the building of democratic civil society groups – like unions.

Well, how am I to apply AWU tradition in the context of the Middle East? I think I am upholding that union tradition when I work to support the development of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions as an independent, democratic, civic society institution.

I think I am upholding that union tradition as I stand with the union movements of both Israel and Palestine, as they fight for workers rights on both sides of the Green Line.I think I am upholding that union tradition when I support the trust-building co-operative projects that the Israeli trade union movement – led by the Histadrut – and the Palestinian trade union movement – led by the PGFTU – are promoting.

http://galusaustralis.com/2010/10/3608/awu-national-secretary-slams-bds/

[ProgressiveMajority]

1. BDS is not about de-legitimization, it's about getting Israel to change

And if anything the BDS movement is getting more and more support from progressives.

http://bdsmovement.net/?q=node/124

[shira]

2. It's delegitimization by antizionists for full RoR and a one-state nightmare with Israel ending.

Just as this manufactured media report by multiple outlets is an attempt to delegitimize Israel and reinforce ugly stereotypes.

News Being Manufactured: A Graphic Example of How This is Done to Slander Israel
http://rubinreports.blogspot.com/2010/10/news-being-manufactured-graphic-example.html

Bashing Israel in an attempt to delegitimize and ultimately destroy the state is popular sport.

[proteus_lives]

3. The end of Israel.

Yep, that's their final goal.

[oberliner]

4. A two-state solution is certainly not their final goal

That much has been made clear, at least.

The actual goal appears to be a utopian society of complete equality and harmonic bliss.

Until this occurs, the boycott must go on!

[shira]

5. Their goal is more war and more bloodshed. They're worse than the most extreme settlers.

Once there's full RoR and either Hamas or the PLO in power, then what? They can't get along with each other and they don't give a rip about Palestinian basic human rights. What makes anyone think they'll work towards preserving the rights of both Jews and Arabs within one-state?

Imagine Avigdor Lieberman leading such a state.

Only 100x worse.

:eyes:

[ProgressiveMajority]

6. Who is "They?" - My goal is justice and equality

Right now there might be some distasteful Palestinian politicians, but you have to consider what Israel has put Palestine through. I think the tactics and standards the Palestinians have are just a result of having so few options left to them by the Israelis. They're struggling and resisting the ways they can. This is something generally recognized by the left, but based on what I've seen on DU it seems the American left is somewhat in denial of the truth of the middle east situation.

Mahmoud Abbas by the way has repeatedly stated that Jews will have the same rights in any Palestinian state.

[proteus_lives]

7. "Mahmoud Abbas by the way has repeatedly stated that Jews will have the same rights..."

Yeah, because promises like that worked out so well for the Jews in the past.

[shira]

8. The human rights situation throughout the Arab world is crappy - why expect better with the PLO

...or Hamas in charge of one-state?

From what I've observed, most of Israel's harshest critics who purport to care about the situation really couldn't care less about the human rights situation in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, or in Gaza under Hamas. I've no reason to believe they'd voice much concern with the PLO or Hamas running Israel any way they see fit.

Abbas' words to western media are a lot different than what he says in Arabic, and contradicted by what's actually going on in the PA led West Bank.