Campaign against Israel-linked LUAS company continues

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Friday April 23, 2010 17:59 by Fintan Lane - IPSC media officer

IRELAND-PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN

PRESS RELEASE, 23/4/10

IPSC continues campaign to end Veolia's LUAS contract

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) in Dublin will continue its efforts this Saturday to inform the public of Veolia's complicity with the Israeli apartheid state. Members and supporters of the IPSC will converge on the Stephen's Green LUAS stop at 1pm tomorrow, where a petition will be collected and leaflets distributed to passengers and passers-by.

Veolia, which runs Dublin's LUAS service, is active in building the infrastructure for Israeli settlements and it is the subject of an international campaign by human rights activists who are demanding that it cease its activities in Palestine/Israel. Details on Veolia's connection to the Israeli state were further revealed in recent days in the online magazine, Electronic Intifada: http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11225.shtml

An anti-Veolia motion is currently before Dublin City Council, having been tabled by Cllr Joan Collins, and it is likely to be voted on at the next meeting of the council on 10 May. The IPSC is asking all city councillors to support this motion, which if passed, will represent a European capital city saying 'No' to complicity with Israeli apartheid against the Palestinian people. The motion calls on the City Manager not to renew or sign any new contracts with Veolia unless the company disengages from the work it is doing in Israel. For the full text, click on the following link: http://cosmos.ucc.ie/cs1064/jabowen/IPSC/ipsc/displayEv...D=834

According to Dr David Landy, chairperson of the IPSC: "We are expecting a good turnout of activists at the event tomorrow and we plan to continue - and step up - such actions until Veolia either disengages from Apartheid Israel or the city authorities cease all financial dealings with the company. With regard to the vote in the city council, we sincerely hope that all of the councillors will vote in favour of this motion to exclude Veolia from all future business while that company is involved in sustaining apartheid in the West Bank. There can be no half-measures when it comes to defending human rights. Veolia is complicit in the oppression of the Palestinian people and that is simply unacceptable. It is a disgrace and no Irish public monies should be put in the pockets of such a company."

He continued: "It is obvious from our interaction with people on the streets that many ordinary Dubliners are shocked by Veolia's involvement in building the infrastrucure for Israeli settlements. We are hopeful that the passage of Cllr Collins' motion will send a clear message of solidarity to the Palestinian people."

PRESS RELEASE ENDS

For further information, phone Dr David Landy (IPSC chairperson) at XXXX, or Dr Fintan Lane (IPSC media officer) at 087 1258325.