Disappointed but Not Defeated!

We are disappointed that delegates at CUPE 32nd Biennial National Convention in Toronto voted not to adopt BDS Resolution 113. 641 or 43% of delegates voted in favour of the resolution that called on the union to “endorse, support and implement concrete actions of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign calling for freedom, justice and equality for the Palestinian people, and an end to Israel’s regime of settler colonialism, apartheid and occupation”.

The resolution failed in part due to manipulation, distortions and lies against the Palestinian led BDS movement spread by Zionists.

This is disappointing especially as it comes on the eve of the illegal Israeli interception in international waters of the humanitarian Freedom Flotilla and the kidnapping of human rights activists including 6 Canadians. It comes after 2 years of the escalating genocide in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were killed or maimed by the Israeli war machine, including tens of thousands of health care, education, municipal and other public sector workers, the destruction of 90% of Gaza, the continuing illegal occupation, apartheid and settler colonization of Palestine and 20 years after the BDS call was issued by 170 Palestinian unions and civil society organizations.

We salut the great work of activists and leaders within CUPE who supported this resolution. While we are disappointed, we are far from defeated. Like the people of Gaza who have persevered over two years of genocide, we will continue our work inside and outside CUPE in support of the anti-colonial struggle of Palestinian people and workers and all oppressed people yearning for liberation.

Until Palestine is free!