RESOLUTION NO. 32: FOR A FREE AND SOVEREIGN PALESTINE STATE(Original version in English)

The 31st World Congress of Public Services International (PSI)
Meeting in Geneva on 14 - 18 October 2023

Is committed to the principles of justice, human rights, and self-determination for all people; The people of Palestine have been denied their basic rights, including the right to self -determination, freedom of movement, and equality under the law;

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has resulted in numerous human rights violations against the Palestinian people. These crimes, which include forced displacement, extrajudicial killings, and the restriction of access to basic services such as healthcare and education, have had a devastating impact on Palestinian communities and individuals.

According to UN Reports, 2022 is the sixth year of consecutive annual increase in the number of Israeli settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, despite a 2016 UN Security Council resolution specifically intended to halt settlement activity.

One of the major human rights violations committed against Palestinians is extrajudicial killings; Israel has repeatedly been accused of using excessive force against Palestinian civilians, including the killing of unarmed protesters. This practice has been condemned by human rights organisations and is a clear violation of the right to life as recognised by international law.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israeli forces killed at least 170 Palestinians in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem in 2022, including more than 30 children. At least 9,000 others have been injured. The UN called 2022 the deadliest year for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in 16 years.

Access to basic services such as healthcare and education is also a major issue for Palestinians living under occupation. Israel has imposed restrictions on the movement of Palestinians, making it difficult for them to access essential services. This has had a particularly devastating impact on vulnerable groups, such as children and the elderly. This practice is a violation of the right to health as recognised by international law.

PSI CONGRESS:

• EXPRESSES its strong support for the freedom and self-determination of the Palestinian people, and for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine;

• CALLS ON the international community to take immediate and effective action to bring an end to the Israeli occupation and to support the rights of the Palestinian people, including through the imposition of economic sanctions and other measures to hold Israel accountable for its actions;

• ENCOURAGES members to educate themselves about the situation in Palestine and to take action to support the Palestinian cause, including through activism and advocacy;

• PLEDGES TO work with other organisations and groups to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine and to support the rights of the Palestinian people, including through campaigns and other initiatives;

• URGES all Member Unions to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and to support their struggle for freedom and self-determination;

• FURTHER CALLS UPON the leadership of PSI to establish a mission to Palestine and Israel for the purpose of exploring these issues and to make recommendations for programmes to strengthen public employee trade unionism throughout the region.

Submitted by All Municipal and Public Service Workers Trade Union (HIZMET-IS Trade Union), Türkiye

References: https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/12/israel-un-experts-condemn-record-year-israeli-violence-occupied-west-bank