Circular number: NP/92/09/AG

Dear Colleague,

RMT members recently showed solidarity with foreign rail workers by demonstrating in support of 40 Israeli Arab citizens sacked by Israel Railways following the Company’s decision to impose discriminatory conditions of employment [pictured].

MEMBERS OF Britain’s largest rail union, RMT, will be taking a protest over the dismissal of 40 Israeli Arab rail workers to the steps of the Israeli Embassy at 1pm on Monday 11th May.

The protest will draw attention to the decision of Israel Railways to change its employment terms so that only Israeli army veterans will now be employed as lookouts at level crossings to prevent collisions between trains and vehicles. The current Arab workforce are exempt from national service and as a consequence have now been handed redundancy notices by Israel Railways.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow has sent the following letter to the Israeli ambassador. ...

April 27 2009

His Excellency Ron Prosor
Israeli ambassador to the Court of St James
2 Palace Green
London
W8 4QB

Dear Mr Prosor

I refer to the matter of 40 Israeli Arab citizens who were handed redundancy notices on Sunday March 29, effective from the beginning of April, following the decision of Israel Railways to change its employment terms.

Israel Railways is introducing a new rule that could lead to around 150 Arab rail workers losing their jobs - more details here.

Last month, Israel Railways, a state-owned company, launched a new policy denying employment to railroad crossing guards who have no permit to carry weapons - that is: who have not served in the Israeli army. This policy will lead to the lay-off of the approximately 150 Arab railway workers who monitor and maintain Israel's level crossings.

Stratford no.1 branch has submitted the following resolution to RMT's AGM.

This AGM condemns Israel’s military assault on Gaza in December and January.

We reaffirm our existing policy demanding Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories and an end to Israel’s siege of Gaza.

We ask the Executive to step up its campaigning on this issue in line with current policy, and in particular wish to see RMT run an appeal in support of an appropriate trade union project in the area.

This resolution, submitted by Camden No. 3 Branch, was passed by RMT Women's Conference 2009.

That this Conference mourns the deaths of over 1,000 Palestinians during Israel's brutal assault on Gaza in December and January, including hundreds of women and children.

While not condoning rocket attacks on Israeli civilians, or the regressive and sexist policies of Hamas, we unreservedly condemn Israel's actions in carrying out this attack, and its siege of Gaza.

RMT's London Transport Regional Council and Finsbury Park branch invite you to a Reception to meet and support Tamar Katz (pictured), Israeli army refuser.

Thursday 5 March, 7-9pm, the Twelve Pins pub, next to Finsbury Park station.

Tamar Katz is a 19-year-old Israeli who has refused to serve in the Israeli army. Israel requires all young men and women to serve in its army, and Tamar has served three prison sentences for her refusal. She explains:

RMT's London Transport Regional Council and Finsbury Park branch invite you to a Reception to meet and support Tamar Katz, Israeli army refuser.

Thursday 5 March, 7-9pm, the Twelve Pins pub, next to Finsbury Park station.

Tamar Katz is a 19-year-old Israeli who has refused to serve in the Israeli army. Israel requires all young men and women to serve in its army, and Tamar has served three prison sentences for her refusal. She explains:

This resolution, proposed by TfL no.1 branch and seconded by Stratford no.1 branch, was passed with one abstention at the Regional Council meeting in January 2009.

This Union notes that 7 Israeli teenagers – known as Shiministim – are refusing to serve in the Israeli army because they object to Israel’s military occupation of the Palestinian territories. They are all 18 or 19 years old, have been called for military service but have refused to go and are now in prison.

Speech to London Gaza Demonstration
Sally Hunt, TUC international spokesperson

10 January 2009

The trade union movement unreservedly condemns this illegal war on the people of Gaza. We join the United Nations in calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Our government and the EU must pressure Israel and Hamas to end this war. No more bombs, no more murder, no more excuses.

The TUC - and the six and a half million workers we represent - demand that our government and the EU takes the action needed to force an end to the terror. They have the power. We urge them to find the will.

EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION
SUNDAY 4 JANUARY 2.00 PM
ISRAELI EMBASSY, KENSINGTON HIGH STREET
Following Israel's ground invasion, an emergency demonstration has been called for Sunday, 4th January at 2.00 pm. (Nearest tube High Street Kensington).

DAILY PROTESTS AT THE ISRAELI EMBASSY
There will be daily protests at the Israeli Embassy from Monday 5 January to Friday 9 January, at 5.30 pm - 7.30 pm.

NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION: SATUDAY 10 JANUARY
The national demonstration on Saturday 10 January is planned to march to the Israeli Embassy.

RMT reps have been joining protests against
Israel's bombardment of Gaza. Here, two reps -
Roy Carey and Janine Booth - report ...

Below is RMT's press release, issued today. You can read more about RMT's policy and campaigning in solidarity with Israeli and Palestinian workers by clicking here.

ISRAEL MUST end the hideous slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza, transport trade union RMT said today.

Condemning Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of civilians, RMT added its voice to the growing world-wide demands for an immediate end to its illegal and inhuman military operations and urged support for emergency demonstrations.

WAC-MAAN is the Workers' Advice Centre (Ma'an in Arabic) which works to unite Israeli and Palestinian workers, and which RMT supports. It has issued this press release about the appalling current events in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and has asked RMT to circulate it.