SEIU Local 2 condemns the Hamas attack on Israeli citizens and the disproportionate response by the Israeli military which is resulting in a genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. The SEIU Local 2 Executive Board has voted to adopt the following statement issued by the Hamilton and District Labour Council, of which we are a member-affiliate.
The HDLC calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and we re-affirm our position for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories.
Further, we call on the Canadian government to stop arming the Israeli government and instead supply humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people to help offset the crisis that continues in Gaza.
We condemn federal, provincial and municipal politicians who are using the crisis in the Middle East to smear and slander those who speak out in defense of Palestinian human rights as being “pro-terrorist” in a way that undermines freedom of expression and democratic rights.
We stand in solidarity with those union leaders, labour bodies, and union activists, who take a public position in defense of Palestinian human rights (in particular, Comrade Fred Hahn and the Executive of CUPE 3906) and denounce the attacks they are facing.
We encourage other labour councils, unions, and labour bodies (both provincially and nationally) to adopt similar positions.
