UNISON responds to the situation in East Jerusalem and Gaza

UNISON has expressed its deep concern about the escalation of tensions in East Jerusalem in recent weeks, including the scenes at al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. The union has also condemned the violence and the bombing of Gaza, and expressed its regret at the tragic loss of life and injuries to Palestinians and Israelis. The escalation has happened in part due to the planned evictions of Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah, a neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, in addition to the police raid on al-Aqsa and increasing restrictions on Palestinians in East Jerusalem. The families have lived in Sheikh Jarrah since the 1950s, following the 1948 Nakba, when they were forced from their homes and lands to become refugees. UNISON has been following the situation in Sheikh Jarrah closely since a delegation from the NEC international committee and regions visited the home of the Al-Kurd family in 2016. The family had had half its home taken over by settlers in 2009, and is now expecting to be evicted from the home where it has lived since the 1950s. UNISON delegation to Palestine with Mohammed Al-Kurd. UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea wrote to the UK government to protest at the planned evictions at the end of April, ahead of the initial proposed deadline for a number of families to leave their homes on 2 May 2021. Her letter urged the UK government to put pressure on the Israeli government to stop the evictions, settlement building and destruc...
Source: UNISON Health and safety news - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: Article News international Palestine Source Type: news