hanaOne of the sections at the PCS conference covered ‘International Issues’, which gave us the opportunity to hear guest speakers from a different part of the world.  Fathi Naser and Hana Joma, representatives from the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) gave us an insight into what it is like to be a Trade Unionist in their country.

Fathi spoke about trade union solidarity and the global crisis. He explained how Palestine were requesting self government but the new prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was denying the opportunity even to talk.

“He is trying to force Palestinians to leave the country and talks of a new Jewish state,” said Fathi, who told of 60% levels of unemployment in Gaza and the apartheid wall. “There are 600 checkpoints and families are separated from each other.”

He explained that the Jews would have to move but they would not be able to rebuild because Israel refuses the movement of building materials into Palestine and that families have been split due to the apartheid wall. He concluded by thanking the conference for their hospitality and wished the PCS success in its activities.

Hana’s speech was very moving and had a profound effect on everyone I spoke to. She is a project officer in the women’s department of the PGFTU and she explained the unique difficulties of women living under occupation. She gave a very moving account of how she felt when she arrived in Brighton. After seeing the sea for the first time since she was 15 she wanted to run to the sea and take it in her arms, enjoy the scent and take it home to her children, who have only dreamed about the sea. As a Palestinian in the West Bank they do not have the freedom to see it. She concluded her speech with the following message:

Dear friends I will return to Palestine with the message, your message. The message of the people who think globally, the message of the people who act lovingly. So thank you once again for your solidarity, for making our lives more bearable, for raising our spirits. Long live solidarity between nations and citizens.

Following the speeches from the guest speakers, a lively debate ensued regarding a motion that condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza last December and asking for solidarity. Speakers spoke up on behalf of Israel and Palestine. Hugh Lanning (Deputy General Secretary) pointed out that solidarity meant “their struggle is our struggle, a worker is a worker is a worker”. We should hold solidarity to all workers around the world, no matter what country they live in.

The full speeches can be viewed below:

5 Comments CherryPie on May 30th 2009

5 Responses to “Trade Unionists from Palestine”

  1. Bengbeng says:

    I am not isolated from the world of coos and have access to world news but reading this post somehow makes it less impersonal, their plight and their world. Thanks for sharing.

  2. Very interesting. We cannot imagine what they are going through.

  3. [...] was able to meet up with Fathi Nasser of the PGFTU who spoke at the PCS Annual Delegates Conference.