ITUC calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and recognition of State of Palestine

BRUSSELS: Participants in the Central Council session of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), held in the Belgian capital Brussels, have called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza. Deeming it a top priority for the international community, the council urged respect for international law in Palestine. In their concluding statement, the attendees called upon the United Nations to promptly and urgently recognize the State of Palestine as a full UN member. They further appealed to the International Labour Organization (ILO) to grant Palestine equal status as a full member until the United Nations officially recognizes it as a full member state. The ITUC participants demanded the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from all Arab territories occupied since 1967, in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 and Article 2 of the UN Charter, as well as Resolution 338 of the year 1973. Advocating for a just peace in the Middle East, the participants endorsed the two-state solution and called for enabling Palestinians to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. They also called for the dismantling of all Israeli settlements from Palestinian territories occupied in 1967. The council members called for the establishment of an urgent humanitarian fund and the provision of suitable conditions for the delivery of humanitarian aid. This includes supporting the ILO's three-stage response program. They also urged governments to finance programs of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and called for sustained and robust support for the people of Palestine through investment, cooperation, and training. Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA