Sir

David Lewis of UK Lawyers for Israel seems to be claiming that being opposed to Veolia building one of Europe’s largest waste treatment plants to handle Waltham Forest’s rubbish is an ‘extremist’ position and that those who have campaigned against it are ‘fanatics’. What nonsense! I have been pleased to support the campaign against the proposed contract, specifically due to the environmental and social damage the Pinkham Way plant would have caused. I have additional concerns relating to Veolia as one of the bidders.

Veolia has been criticised by the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territories for running transport services between illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories and Jerusalem, and for operating waste services including a landfill site used to dump Israeli waste on Palestinian land. Indeed he has called for a direct boycott of Veolia – and other companies – for their complicity in human rights abuses.

Mr Lewis is quite right: it is not unlawful in the UK for a multi-national company to do this, but I think most people agree that it should be a crime in the UK for any company operating here to take part in human rights abuses abroad. I hardly think that’s a ‘fanatic’ or ‘extremist’ position – merely one in line with respect for the international observance of Human Rights law and a desire to foster Corporate Social Responsibility.

Whatever the reason for Veolia’s decision to pull out of the bidding process, I hope we now see a proposal based on improving waste reduction facilities, smaller treatment plants being built, only if necessary and always as close to the source of the waste as possible, and a retention of public, democratic control of the way our council handles municipal waste disposal for Waltham Forest.

Yours,

Jean Lambert MEP (Green Party, London)
Patron of Waltham Forest Palestine Solidarity Campaign

The post Letter to Waltham Forest Guardian responding to David Lewis of UK Layers for Israel appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.

Jean will be among speakers at the demonstration, organised by groups including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Stop the War Coalition, the British Muslim Initiative and CND.

Campaigners will use the Remember Gaza – Free Palestine! demonstration to call for an end to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the arms trade.

Jean addressed thousands of protestors at a rally in Hyde Park during the national demonstration for Gaza on 10 January. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s event, she said:

“All eyes are on the Middle East this week for the Pope’s visit. I’ll be demonstrating on Saturday to ensure that, while Gaza might have slipped down the news agenda since January, the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people is not forgotten. We have seen that there is a tremendous sense of solidarity among Londoners for the people of Gaza, I hope this remains as strong now.”

With fellow Green MEP Caroline Lucas, Jean has been pushing for a suspension of the trade agreement between the EU and Israel [1]. Jean continued:

“Determined action to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is long overdue. We must exert pressure on leaders in the UK and Europe to help lift the blockade on the movement of goods across the border, and to end arms trading with Israel.

“The Palestinian people urgently need our support to help work towards creating a safe and peaceful future based on a two state solution.”

The demonstration takes place this Saturday, 16 May. It will assemble at 12 noon in Malet Street, London WC1, nearest tubes Goodge Street and Russell Square, and will be followed by a rally in Trafalgar Square.
Notes to Editors

[1] The EU-Israel Association Agreement is a contract which allows Israel privileged trading terms with EU countries conditional upon respect for human rights (Article 2)

The post Green MEP to Remember Gaza at Free Palestine demo appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.

“Certainly this is not the time for the EU to be upgrading relations with Israel, indeed there is a case for examining the existing agreements. The EU needs a strong voice on this conflict, calling for a sustained ceasefire on both sides, since Hamas, too, bears responsibility for the deaths of civilians.

“Being in Gaza almost a year ago I witnessed the severe suffering of Palestinians as a result of the siege, and a lack of medical equipment and other essential supplies. The situation now must be unbearable, with many hundreds dead and thousands injured as a result of the air strikes and ground offensive.

“It is imperative that the provision of humanitarian aid takes into account the deficit of goods and services which existed prior to these latest attacks. As well as the emergency response, extensive supplies of health, housing and education resources will be needed to rebuild the lives and communities of those affected.”

Jean Lambert MEP

The post Statement on Israel’s attacks on Gaza appeared first on Jean Lambert MEP.