Open Letter from CPSU Rank and File 4 Palestine to the CPSU-PSU National Officers, Regional Secretaries and the CPSU-PSU Governing Councillors
We the undersigned:
- Demand a permanent ceasefire of Israeli hostilities throughout Palestine.
- Demand an immediate end to the blockade of Gaza. Restore food, medicine, fuel and humanitarian supplies, so that power and critical health, water and other infrastructure can be restored immediately.
- Demand an end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian land by the state of Israel, an end to apartheid and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians, and the Right of Return of Palestinian refugees.
- Stand against all forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia, and actively campaign against discrimination in all forms.
- Condemn the Australian government’s silence and complicity regarding the war on Gaza and call on the Australian government to break all military and diplomatic ties with Israel.
- Join and support the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against the state of Israel, similar to actions used against the former Apartheid regime of South Africa. In line with BDS, demand the government withdraw from all partnerships and contracts relating to economic and military research and support for manufacturing of weapons for Israel.
- Defend CPSU members who respond to the call of Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions to engage in industrial action to prevent ongoing research and manufacture of arms for Israel, and/or publicly call for the ceasing of such contracts and partnerships.
- Publicly defend all members (with each member's permission) who are subjected to any adverse action from their employer or the APSC because of their participation in and organisation of events at work and outside of work opposing Israeli apartheid.
- Publicly call for dropping of the charges against participants in peaceful protests against Israeli apartheid, including the Port Botany blockade on 21 November, demonstrate solidarity with these arrestees and oppose draconian anti-protest laws at state and Federal levels.
- Support, and publicise to its membership, community protests in solidarity with Palestinians struggle for land and justice, and facilitate the use of CPSU flags at protests and CPSU office space for organising these protests.
- Support the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network (APAN) and Trade Unionists for Palestine and encourage CPSU members to join these organisations.
- Publish this motion on its website, Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) pages and in an email directed to all their members.
Who are CPSU Rank and File 4 Palestine?
CPSU Rank and File 4 Palestine are a group of over 100 rank and file CPSU (PSU Group) members and supportive union officials organising collectively to speak out and act to put an end to the genocide.
We are not alone.
We are part of an umbrella group, Trade Unionists for Palestine (TU4P).
TU4P is supported by concerned unionists nationally across many industries, including maritime, construction, electrical trades, services, academia and education.
They have taken responsibility to create a space for compassion, discussion and action. Their numbers at meetings and weekly rallies are growing.
Members are organising in their workplaces for the above demands. The CPSU needs to protect their member’s right to civic and political participation by endorsing these demands.
Join your relevant organising chats:
CPSU Rank and File 4 Palestine Signal Community - (PSU Group):
https://signal.group/#CjQKIDXTEep2wAuyydnfT0jLu6gK3Beah4jGESxPsNLQa6ZQEhDKUswzND17mOh2r-JyP1Qo
CPSU Victoria Whatsapp Community
https://chat.whatsapp.com/LaFN4tgsQoYJiIl5fMIkHT?fbclid=IwAR3xleSiJCUs5tdV3L1Sq0533Cm9wpigs0dew5dILldphaUb-iGHZL6uqIg
CPSU/CSA - (WA) Whatsapp Community
https://chat.whatsapp.com/LqYY6RBQItf5QJXDVqtJhG?fbclid=IwAR0ijRp8PhA3uZL5vtInEOdVP7n-0cpwKQP0f6aLpURZMJUPEQ6d-RbIYe4
