At a time when those opposed to a two-state solution are calling to break the relationship between British and Israeli trade unions, BICOM Senior Research Fellow Professor Alan Johnson has written an important new pamphlet, published by the Trade Union Friends of Israel, which provides a unique insight into the history and activities of the Histadrut. The pamphlet details the Histadrut’s progressive aims and values and its cooperation with the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU). Professor Johnson lays out the origins of the Jewish labour organisation, their role in the foundation of the State of Israel, the subsequent creation of an Arab workers section, and the groundbreaking agreement in 2008 between the Histadrut and the PGFTU. The pamphlet highlights the Histadrut’s inclusivity as a powerful champion of vulnerable workers, its positive working relationship with its Palestinian counterparts, and why this relationship should be strengthened, not undermined, by UK trade unions. The pamphlet also details why boycotts damage Palestinian workers, set back the cause of peace, and risk isolating British trade unions from the wider international trade union movement, which has chosen engagement, practical solidarity and critical dialogue.  

Endorsements

 

“Trade Union Friends of Israel’s latest pamphlet reaffirms the vital role unions have to play in overcoming the economic and political challenges of the 21^st Century. This timely contribution to the debate brings to the fore the work of the Israeli trade unions in successfully negotiating with government and employers for improvements in terms and conditions, demonstrating that you can have social justice gains in the workplace alongside enviable economic growth. In addition, the work Israeli unions undertake with their Palestinian counterparts in the PGFTU is not only vital for sharing best practice and supporting workers’ rights in the developing Palestinian economy, but is also vital as a bridge for peace.”

— Rt Hon. Ed Balls MP

 

“The BFAWU have engaged with the Histadrut and the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) for many years now and have had leaders from the food workers sections of both unions address our own conference. Therefore I’m pleased to read about the work that the Histadrut does on behalf of working people in Israel and their relationship with the PGFTU in one comprehensive document. This pamphlet is a must read for all who want to know more about this subject and I urge all to support the recommendations.”

— Ronnie Draper, General Secretary BFAWU

 

“If British trade unionists would take the time to read this booklet, the debate over boycotting Israel and its trade unions would be effectively over. The proponents of the Tehran line in the unions thrive on ignorance. This booklet is the antidote to their poison.”

—Eric Lee, Founder of Trade Unions Linking Israel and Palestine (TULIP)

 

“Every friend of the labour movement should read this pamphlet. Here is the authentic voice of international labour solidarity, unbiased and well-informed.”

—Paul Berman, author of Terror and Liberalism.

 

“Any serious trade unionist knows that engaging those you sometimes disagree with is far more effective then shunning them from the room. This pamphlet shows the reality of the Histadrut, its goals aims and objectives, and how it struggles in its own society to get its progressive values heard. Those values need promotion and support from their brothers and sisters in the UK if they are ever to be realized.”

— Joel Braunold  NUS NEC (2008) Former Director of External Relations OneVoice Movement

 

“As Vice President of TUFI I’m pleased to endorse the pamphlet, The New Histadrut: Peace, Social Justice and the Israeli Trade Unions. Its contents and recommendations are a powerful source of information for all those wanting to engage with the Israeli and Palestinian trade unions.  If we want peace in the region then surely we should be nurturing and supporting trade union dialogue. A pathway to the goal of two states needs the support of mainstream Israelis and Palestinians. Who better than trade unions to facilitate this to build confidence and understanding.”

— Rt Hon.Tom Watson MP

 

“The new Trade Union Friends of Israel pamphlet The New Histadrut: Peace, Social Justice and the Israeli Trade Unions is a must read for all trade unionists who want to learn more about trade unions in action in the region.”

“As a trade union leader who has been on a TUFI delegation to meet both Israeli and Palestinian trade unionists, we must support their work of cooperation and stand with them in solidarity.”

— John Hannett, General Secretary USDAW

 

“I went on a TUFI Delegation to Israel and Palestine in 2008 to see for myself the work of Israeli and Palestinian trade unions. Whilst they work in difficult circumstances and a volatile environment they are an example of what trade unionists should be supporting, cooperation and engagement. Please read this pamphlet to find out more.”

— Bernard Rooney, Research Officer, Community Union

 

“As a lifelong trade unionist I was interested to read about the work that Israeli trade unions do for working people in Israel. In a region that has a lot of bad news, the activities of Israeli trade unions is a welcome relief and demonstrates what could be happening in the wider region.”

—Robert Sneddon, Health, Safety and Environment Officer, Community Union.

 

“This report highlights the important work that the Histadrut, along with the Palestinian PGFTU, do to support and promote the rights of workers in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The Histadrut is a central part of the Israeli Labour movement and has worked over the years to advance a just and peaceful resolution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

— Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary.

 

“In a time when peace seems more elusive than ever, this pamphlet outlines how important engagement is between Israeli and Palestinian people in advancing the possibility of an agreement. The links between the PGFTU and the Histadrut, and the working relationships that have developed between their members, is an example to their respective civil societies and political leaderships. Increased isolation and reduced interaction between Israelis, Palestinians and their international counterparts, will entrench political extremism and do nothing to improve the day to day lives of the peoples of the region. The pamphlet makes a compelling case for why engagement with, and not boycott of the Histadrut should be the policy of those who wish to see an end to the occupation and a just and lasting peace.”

— Hannah Weisfeld, Director of Yachad

 

“This pamphlet successfully exposes the importance and centrality of the Histadrut as a social vanguard which vigorously defends workers’ rights whether organized or unorganized, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or gender. It also highlights to the British trade union movement the important role of the Israeli trade unions in building bridges to peace and co-existence with the Palestinian trade unionists and entices the British trade unionists to be positively, impartially  and constructively engaged in the strengthening relationship between the Histadrut and PGFTU and serve as role models for peace for the international trade union movement and anybody who cherishes the values of solidarity, trade unions rights and peace.”

— MK Isaac Herzog

 

“The complexity as well as the true history of events over recent decades in Israel and Palestine is too often scorned in the UK in the face of rancorous debate that descends at times into anti-Semitism. This pamphlet is a welcome reminder that Israeli and Palestinian trade unionists are at the fore of those striving for peace and reconciliation, and that the most constructive role that British unions can play to foster a lasting settlement to the benefit of working people across all communities is to engage actively and constructively with both Histadrut and with the PGFTU.”

— Jonathan Baume General Secretary of the FDA

 

“ The new Trade Union Friends of Israel publication, The New Histadrut: Peace, Social Justice and the Israeli Trade Unions is an essential read for all those in the Labour movement who want to understand about the positive role of the Histadrut within Israeli society and to a wider peace process.  The pamphlet’s recommendations to support the ongoing work of cooperation, engagement and dialogue is the pathway to peace and prosperity in the region, one that we should all be supporting.”

—  Rt Hon. Luciana Berger MP

 

“If you don’t support a two-state solution for Israel & Palestine look away now. You won’t want the facts to influence your opinion! The reality is that considerable co-operation has developed between the Histadrut and their Palestinian equivalent, the PGFTU, and their close working relationship, based on mutual support for a two-state solution, genuine worker solidarity and peace, strengthens their closer co-operation, which should be welcomed and endorsed by all UK unions.

Alan Johnson shows their members live in the real world, striving together to win benefits from employers and concessions from governments. This pamphlet illustrates the challenges problems and achievements in this struggle for Israeli Arabs, West Bank Palestinians, women, and some substantial gains for organised labour in an unpromising environment, such as automatic union recognition, permanent contract rights for agency workers, enhanced minimum wage levels, representation of migratory workers, and developing joint training and dialogue across the green line. Johnson’s presentation shows the futility of boycott efforts, which undermine worker solidarity and jeopardise almost exclusively Palestinian employment opportunities. I strongly commend this pamphlet to all who wish to let the facts influence their opinion.”

— Roger Lyons, Chair of Trade Union Friends of Israel, Former GS Amicus (now Unite Union) and President of the TUC

 

“At a time of global economic unrest and sweeping change in the Middle East, trade unions have a vital role to play in bringing hard working people together to cooperate for a more prosperous and peaceful future. This important new pamphlet is a powerful reminder of both the role of Israeli and Palestinian trade unions in building this future, and the risks to British trade unions if they choose to exclude themselves from this international effort.”

— Ben Garratt,  Deputy Director of Labour Friends of Israel

 

“This is an important and very timely pamphlet. As calls for boycotts of trade union links with Israel continue to dominate debate, we need to be reminded of the important work Histadrut does in supporting dialogue with its Palestinian counterparts and that it is one of the strongest backers of a two-state solution. This pamphlet strongly makes the case for continued engagement, and shows that boycotts simply set back the cause of peace and of a secure and just future for the Palestinian people.”

— Rt Hon. John Woodcock MP

 

“An absolute ‘must read’ for any serious trade unionist.”

— Debbie Coulter, a trade union Official for over 20 years and the first woman to be elected as GMB Deputy General Secretary

 

“Improving living standards and social justice as well as creating jobs should be a Middle East priority. Histradut has long worked for classic trade union rights for all workers. Trade unions in the UK need stronger links with all workers in Israel and Palestine. This pamphlet explains why.”

— Rt Hon. Denis MacShane MP, former President NUJ, international trade union official 1979-1994

 

“The genuine left embraces the politics of solidarity between workers from all countries and it supports those everywhere who do the same. Alan Johnson’s brilliant pamphlet shows how this principle works in Israel. We need to put away our dreams of victory for one nation or the other and to side with those fighting for peace. Out with boycotts, in with workers unity!”

—David Hirsh, Lecturer at Goldsmiths, and UCU member

 

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