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June 9, 2010
Letters from 4
major Canadian Unions to Prime Minister Harper protesting the Israeli
attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla
1. Canadian
Union of Postal Workers, CUPW 2. Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) 3. Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) 1. CUPW Dear Prime Minister Harper, I
am writing to you on behalf of the 54,000 members of the Canadian Union
of Postal Workers. You will be aware that the Israeli navy, in an
act of piracy in international waters, has hijacked the international
flotilla of ships which was attempting to deliver essential
humanitarian aid to Gaza. The aid includes construction materials
which would enable the people of Gaza to rebuild the homes destroyed by
Israel in Operation Cast Lead in 2009.
*************************************** 2. CUPE letter The following
is a letter written by Paul Moist, CUPE National President, to Prime
Minister Stephen Harper, urging the Canadian government to condemn the
brutal attack by the Israeli navy today. Ten people were killed in the
attack on a humanitarian aid convoy and dozens are injured. 3. PSAC June 2, 2010 Prime Minister Stephen Harper Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2 Dear Prime Minister: I am writing to urge you to quickly condemn the attack by Israel on an international flotilla early Monday and to urge you to intervene to demand that flotilla be permitted to deliver the desperately needed humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The Canadian government must add its voice to the international community of nations that is demanding an immediate, full and independent enquiry into this incident that threatens to engulf the Middle East in further violence. The 700 people from around the world aboard the boats were attacked in international waters. It is not clear how many are dead but initial media reports indicate at least nine and many more injured. This totally unacceptable response to what was a humanitarian mission must be unequivocally condemned. This attack warrants more than the very measured response issued by your office stating that the Canadian government regretted the loss of life and “are looking for more information in order to shed light on exactly what happened.” The humanitarian aid intended for delivery by the flotilla is desperately needed as a result of Israel’s three year blockade of Gaza which has caused terrible suffering for the 1.5 million people of Gaza, half of whom are children under the age of eighteen. I urge you to condemn the attack and the intolerable conditions the Palestinian people are subjected to as a result of the illegal occupation by Isreal. Sincerely, John Gordon National President ********************** 4. NUPGE James Clancy has written Stephen Harper urging the Canadian government to condemn the attack on the flotilla during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. May 31, 2010 Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada Langevin Building 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A2 Dear Prime Minister Harper, The recent attack by Israeli Defense Forces on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla killing human rights activists has rightly outraged most Canadians and the world. I am writing you, on behalf of the National Union of Public and General Employees, to condemn this attack during your meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This recent attack requires an immediate and strong condemnation from Canada. For Canada to remain silent on this attack as other countries and the United Nations criticize this horrific act on unarmed activists is unconscionable. Mr. Netanyahu*s presence in Canada following this attack accords you the opportunity to personally impress upon him our concern over Israeli aggression. Failure to do so is a betrayal of Canada*s historical commitment to human rights. Furthermore, I urge you and your government to recall our ambassador to Israel and call for a meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss this matter. Your government in the past has steadfastly refused to criticize the state of Israel. Surely this action by the Israeli Defense Forces on the eve of your meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister will end this silence. Sincerely yours, James Clancy National President NUPGE The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
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Denis Lemelin