Canada's largest private sector union adopts BDS resolution

The resolution stated that Unifor does not condone violence against innocent civilians "or other human rights violations by either side of the conflict."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: SEPTEMBER 3, 2017 14:40
BDS (photo credit: WIKIPEDIA)
BDS
(photo credit: WIKIPEDIA)
Canada's largest private union, Unifor, has reportedly adopted a motion supporting the BDS movement.
According to the Canadian Jewish News, Unifor voted in favor of the resolution titled "Palestinian Self-Determination and the Movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions" at the Unifor Canadian Council.
The resolution stated that Unifor does not condone violence against innocent civilians "or other human rights violations by either side of the conflict."
Unifor will implement BDS tactics to hit “sectors of Israel’s economy and society which profit from the ongoing occupation of the OPT (occupied Palestinian territories).”
The resolution continued: “Unifor will support such a form of BDS until such time as Israel implements a permanent ban on further settlement construction in the OPT, and enters into good faith negotiations with representatives of the Palestinian people for the purpose of establishing a viable, contiguous and truly sovereign Palestinian state."
The motion condemns Israel's settlement policy and continued settlement building, calling it a violation of international law and "an undeniable obstacle to the Israel – Palestine peace-process.”
Avi Benlolo, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies president and CEO, responded to the resolution: “While Unifor claims delegates left the convention with the resolve to ‘push back against the rise of the right’ and ‘build a better world,’ passing the BDS motion shows support for what has proven to be an anti-Semitic movement. This motion does not benefit Canadians, or Unifor members in any way.”
13 resolutions, including the BDS motion, were adopted at the convention, with the theme “Solidarity for a better world," on August 18 - 20 in Winnipeg.