For Immediate Release

Ottawa – The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) joined the international campaign of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel during their national convention this month.

Hundreds of delegates to CUPW’s convention passed a resolution supporting sanctions and calling on the union to work toward an end to suicide bombings, military assaults and other acts of violence that take the lives of innocent people.

“It’s time to push for a fair and just settlement so that both Palestinians and Israelis can live in peace,” said Denis Lemelin, CUPW National President. “There can’t be a solution while settlements exist on Palestinian land and while a security barrier restricts the movement of Palestinian workers.”

CUPW is the first national union in North America to pass a resolution supporting the boycott, divestment and sanctions. However, a number of international and Canadian organizations support the campaign.

“Delegates at our convention listened to the call from Palestinian unions and organizations in joining this campaign,” said Lemelin. “This is a non-violent tactic aimed at reaching a just peace,” he added.

Over 170 Palestinian political parties, unions and other organizations issued a call in July 2005 for a global campaign of boycott and divestment against Israel similar to the one applied to South Africa in the apartheid era. These measures are intended to continue until Israel recognizes the right of Palestinian people to self-determination and fully complies with international law.

CUPW represents 56,000 workers in the postal sector. From April 13-17, postal workers voted on a vast array of resolutions at their national convention held in Ottawa.

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