TUNE Condemns Deportation of Greek Trade Unionists
STATEMENT BY TUNE (TRADE UNIONISTS NETWORK EUROPE)
The TUNE unequivocally condemns the decision of the Israeli authorities to deny entry to and deport five trade unionists and one retired worker, all members of a Greek trade‑union delegation travelling to Ramallah in the West Bank.
The delegation had been organised following an official invitation from the General Federation of Palestinian Trade Unions and aimed to visit workplaces and hold joint meetings with Palestinian trade unionists in order to strengthen relations of solidarity among workers.
We underline that the Greek trade unionists had fully complied with all legal entry procedures and had duly informed the relevant authorities of the purpose of their visit. Their deportation, without any explanation, constitutes a blatant violation of the freedom of movement of European citizens and of fundamental trade‑union rights.
Free communication and cooperation between workers and their organisations are essential democratic freedoms. No state has the right to obstruct international trade‑union activity or the exchange of experience and solidarity among peoples.
This action represents yet another attempt to isolate workers and their organisations in the West Bank. The Israeli state is seeking to control even communication and international solidarity, leaving it to the discretion of its military authorities to decide who may visit Palestinian workers and who may not.
It is the responsibility of European and international trade unions to stand with the Palestinian people and their workers, and to break the isolation and silence that the State of Israel seeks to impose.
The TUNE express our solidarity with Palestinian workers and their trade‑union organisations, and we reaffirm our commitment to defending democratic, trade‑union and human rights, and to strengthening cooperation and solidarity among peoples.
