WHEREAS:

For more than 20 years the State of Israel has occupied the West Bank and Gaza imposing Israeli military orders upon pre-existing Jordanian and Egyptian law, respectively; and

WHEREAS:

The perpetuation of the occupation, which has been opposed by the Israeli Labor Federation, Histadrut, has contributed to the tensions between Arabs and Israelis within the country and has led to the current waves of violence and terrorism; and

WHEREAS:

The United Nations has called for an international conference involving Israel and representatives of the Palestine people which would seek a political and peaceful solution and an end to the occupation; and

WHEREAS:

Political differences with Israel have prevented a consensus for such a conference with the result that the military occupation continues; and

WHEREAS:

The frustration of Palestinians because of the unwillingness of Israeli conservatives to seek an international and peaceful solution to the occupation and other aspects of Israeli security has been exploited by elements in the Arab world who are unwilling to accept the secure existence of Israel as an independent democratic nation; and

WHEREAS:

Histadrut has opposed its government's refusal to support calls for an international peace conference, stating:

Histadrut believes that the Middle East conflict cannot be solved by the use of force.

The core of the conflict is political and the only way to solve it is through direct negotiations between the parties concerned — if necessary under the auspices of an international conference.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME supports efforts to establish an international conference that will have as its objectives both the recognition of a secure and democratic Israel and the recognition and provision for the Palestinian people.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME condemns the adamant refusal of elements of the Israeli government even to consider the calling of an international peace conference.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME condemns the violent repression of protest in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, while at the same time recognizing that the existence of frustration in the face of the Israeli government's refusal to support an international peace conference serves to fuel such violence.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME support the position in the Camp David accord that calls for a solution acknowledging the autonomous and sovereign right of the people in the occupied zones, recognizing that the International Peace Conference is not an ultimate solution but a constructive and necessary beginning.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

That AFSCME calls on the AFL-CIO and the democratic unions of the world to support Histadrut in its efforts to convince the Israeli government that continuation of the occupation and the violent suppression of Arab dissent can only lead to the erosion of support for Israel among Western democracies.

SUBMITTED BY:

International Executive Board

Oliver Preston, President
Annette Zeni, Secretary
Council 10
Oakland, California