TUC protests to Israeli Ambassador about PGFTU travel ban

HE Mr Ron Prosor
Ambassador
Embassy of Israel
2 Palace Green
London W8 4QB

Your Excellency

PGFTU - further travel restrictions

My congratulations on your appointment as Ambassador to the UK. I am sorry that my first letter to you should be a protest, but I have heard today from the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), that one of their Executive Committee members, Kahlid Abu Helal, was denied permission to enter Jordan on 10 December to travel to a workshop in Morocco organised by International Labour Organisation.

On behalf of the TUC, our 59 affiliated unions and their 6.5 million members, I urge you to convey in the strongest possible terms to the Government of Israel our view that harassment of PGFTU leaders, and prevention of their participation in ILO activities, is offensive and counter-productive. The Government of Israel should allow the PGFTU to function as the representative of Palestinian workers, rather than placing further restrictions on its work.

I would be grateful if you could confirm that you have conveyed these views to your Government, and in due course would welcome an explanation.

I am copying this letter to the PGFTU, to the Histadrut, and to the Foreign Secretary. I will also be making it public in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Palestine.

Yours sincerely

Brendan Barber

General Secretary