The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, Bernadette Ségol, today called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a new start for peace negotiations.
“The spiral of violence seems to be endless”, said Bernadette Ségol. “But the international community – with the full support of the European Union - must insist on an end to the violence and a new serious effort to find a peaceful political solution.”
The provocation of Hamas, firing rockets on Israel, does not justify the totally disproportional military action on the ground, in the air and from the sea by the Israeli Defence Forces. The death toll, mainly on the Gaza side, is constantly increasing with more than 1000 victims, more than 140,000 people fled their homes, water and electricity supply close to zero and no way out for civilians.
Bernadette Ségol criticised anti-Semitic slogans and actions in some parts of Europe. “Those who want a just peace in the Near East must oppose discrimination and racism. A peaceful solution will not be brought about by hatred.”
She added that peace talks should be accompanied by a stop to Israeli settlement in the West Bank.
