Gaza is a prison
and our silence is a crime
are you on the side to break the siege
set those people free
which side are you?
– Phil Monsour, Which side are you on?
A former union official reminded me yesterday that sections of the Australian Left once supported Israel, duped by propaganda that Israel was a social democratic, national liberation struggle for European Jews who had suffered so terribly at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. I remembered also that the Australian Communist Party supported Israel; that two of their leading members (the Aaarons brothers) were Zionists. Remember also that the Australian Union of Students divided and eventually dissolved as a result of disagreement about Palestine.
It is within this context that the Australian union movement is starting to shift towards calls for a ceasefire and sanctions against Israel. There has been a slow process over many years. Individual unions and the ACTU have given support through humanitarian programs to the Palestinians through APHEDA (Union Aid Abroad) and fund raising social events like the Big Ride for Palestine (Australia). Unions have also sent members, delegates and offcials to Palestine to understand what is going on.
CFMEU calls for Ceasefire in Gaza
The CFMEU construction division resolution reads in the third paragraph:
“The Union calls for an immediate suspension of all hostilities, the immediate release of all hostages, and an Immediate end to the blockade of Gaza. Gaza must not be cut off from food, medicine, fuel and humanitarian supplies. Its power supply must be resumed, and critical health, water and other Infrastructure must be restored immediately.“
This is a departure from the Australian government and Labor Party stance which is a good thing. Bear in mind the ACTU called for a ceasefire on 22 October 2023. But the framing of the document shows how little the union has understood the ethnic cleansing and genocide which has been part of the Israeli experiment since 1947. Or do they support the failed experiment that is Israel like other settler colonial states like Australia, Canada and the United States? What influence does the Labor Party have on their preamble:
We have watched in horror at the unspeakable slaughter of innocent people In Israel and Palestine
and the retaliations from both sides in the present conflict in the Middle East.
There is still a big gap by the CFMEU (and other union) in their political understanding of what the Israeli occupation of Palestine has been to up to for many years. Just look at the framing of the motion:
“We further call on the Australian Government to take a stronger bi-partisan approach …”
The Australian government has always been pro-Israel from the get go; it has never had a bipartisan approach. The government voted in the UN against a ceasefire (by abstention)! This allowed Israeli murderous activities of the past 45 days. The removal of the Palestinians from the north of Gaza, the genocidal attacks on hospital and schools. And we still do not know what happened on 7 October, we only know Israeli lies of beheaded children, burnt babies etc. Did Israeli helicopter gunship(s) fire on the festival in the Kibbutz?
The ACTU has been passive during the periods of ‘negative peace’ in Palestine. It is only when there is an Israeli atrocity that the union movement paddles out its call for an even handed response.
“we stand In solidarity with all people who support the cause of peace, equality and justice for Palestinians, lsraells, and everyone in the Middle East.”
Don’t they realise what Israel is up to? You can’t be on the side of both Israelis and the Palestinians. The CFMEU has to decide which side they’re on. And if they do choose Palestine then they have to impose sanctions and boycott on the Israeli war machine, instead of pussyfooting around allowing business as usual by the United States and Israel Alliance.
The nature of the genocide it’s the current stand of the CFMEU construction division immoral and untenable. We still do not know what happened on 7 October 2023. All we have is Israeli propaganda put out by a national broadcaster the ABC. Palestinians are being held hostage by an illegitimate unlawful apartheid process in Israel. Set them free!
I am wondering whether the union movement will ever be able to go back to the Labor Party’s preferred ‘business as usual’ approach with the Palestinian struggle a mere side-light I need to be raised when there is an outbreak like happened in Gaza seven weeks ago?
Meanwhile a Greens member from the seat of Ryan in Brisbane tried to tell me that Dr Jim Chalmers is a prime minister in waiting in Australia. She he actually said she he respects him. Oh dear respects a man who voted for genocide. Of course he is a very intelligent man. It will do them in the end, that is for sure.
Ian Curr
26 Nov 2023
