Irish trade unionists said this week that they plan to launch a boycott of Israeli goods in 2009. Meanwhile, Manchester University Student Union adopted a resolution supporting a boycott of Israel.
In moving ahead with plans to boycott Israel, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) says it is relying on "evidence" left in the aftermath of the Israeli invasion into Gaza in December.
It also said to be drawing from a "fact-finding mission" to Gaza by a dozen of its senior members more than a year ago. Leaders within the Irish Congress of Trade Unions are to hold a conference this year to act as "a springboard" for their campaign.
"The trip was over a year ago but its campaign will move up a gear this year with a major conference to highlight the Palestinian/Israeli situation, while research on a boycott of Israeli goods to press for a settlement will also be finalized," a statement by the organization read.
In a meeting on Wednesday by the Manchester University Student Union, the organization voted in favor of joining the global Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement "by divesting from Israel and boycotting all companies that support or benefit from the Israeli occupation."
The union also resolved "to pressure the university to give full scholarships to Palestinian students as resolved at the March 2007 general meeting, as well as providing full scholarships for Israelis who have refused to serve in the Israel Defense Forces."
Commenting on internal issues within Israel, the union said that its members "believe that the mobilization inside Israel against the policies of the State of Israel has been progressive and that the Israeli government?s aggressive response to the protests should be condemned."
Furthermore, the Union voted to support a day of fundraising "for humanitarian relief for Gaza," with all proceeds to be given to a committee for providing aid to the Strip.
