I World Israel Ban Blasted U.S. labor leaders take issue with British union divestment call. nited States labor leaders are denouncing British union support for a boycott of Israel. Their response comes in the wake of a decision by several unions, includ- ing the UK Transport and General Workers Union, to back economic, cul- tural and academic boycotts of Israel in protest against "the treatment of the Palestinian people." "Their resolutions have no purpose other than demonizing Israel;' said Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Jewish Labor Committee, an alliance of Jewish union leaders and support- ers soliciting support for a statement Don't Divest From Israel This is an abridged version of the Jewish Labor Committee's state- ment opposing divestment from or boycotts of Israel: "We view with increasing con- cern the phenomenon of trade unions in a number of countries, including, most recently, the United Kingdom, issuing resolu- tions that either directly or indi- rectly call for divestment from and boycotts of Israel. "With the large number of local, regional and international con- flicts, with the diverse range of oppressive regimes around the world about which there is almost universal silence, we have to ques- tion the motives of these resolu- tions that single out one country in one conflict. "We note with increasing con- cern that virtually all of these resolutions focus solely on objec- tions to actions or policies of the Israeli government, and never on actions or policies of Palestinian or other Arab governments, par- ties or movements. We notice with increasing concern that char- acterization of the Palestinians as victims and Israel as victimizer is a staple of such resolutions. That there are victims and victimizers on all sides, and that many if not most of the victims of violence and repression on all sides are civilians, are essential items. opposing these boycotts. Appelbaum, who is also president of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, said, "The U.S. labor movement has always been a strong supporter of Israel and continues to be." He added that American union lead- ers "understand that resolutions call- ing for boycotts of Israel undermine the goal of winning a lasting peace in the Middle East." "It's obvious that the motivation behind these one-sided boycotts is less an authentic concern for human rights than it is a desire to bash Israel;' he said. "Any just and fair resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be brought about through meaningful negotiations between their elected representatives. We believe strongly in a two-state solution, brought about through meaningful negotiations, with the involvement and encouragement of the world community. "Calls for academic boycotts of Israel are inimical to and counter to the principles of academic free- dom and freedom of association, key principles for which academ- ics and educational unions have struggled over many years. ""Rather than divestment from Israel, we believe that investment of time, energy and material aid is the best means to alleviate the ongoing suffering of Palestinians and Israelis. Engagement, rather than disengagement, with the Israeli people and the Palestinian people is needed, so that a just and fair resolution of this con- flict may be pursued, and so that meaningful progress towards achieving the legitimate needs of Palestinians and Israelis can be made." [ I Signers include auto industry labor leaders Ron Gettelfinger, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America International Union; and James P. Hoffa, International Brotherhood of Teamsters. to r Have The Detroit Jewish News Delivered To Your Door Every Thursday For About A Dollar A Week call 248,351.5174, visit www.JNonline.us (click the subscribe link) or fill out and mail the form below ❑ 1 year @$60 ❑ 2 years @$114 ❑ 3 Years @140 ❑ bill me ❑ payment enclosed charge my ❑ Visa ❑ MasterCard ❑ American Express exp date card # signature(required) name phonelt street address city state zip email address ❑ I would like to be contacted about special offers and/or sending a gift subscription mail to: Detroit Jewish News • PO Box 2267 • Southfield MI 48037-2267 Please allow 2-3 weeks to begin delivery. In-state subscriptions only. Out of state price $79 for 1 year, $139 for 2 years. July 26 • 2007 21