Mayo Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Unnimous show of Solidarity with Palestinian people

Published: 14 May, 2010

Sinn Féin Councillor, Thérèse Ruane, has welcomed the unanimous backing by members of Castlebar Town Council for her motion calling on the Town Manager not to sign any new or renew any existing contracts with French multinational Veolia, which has the multi-million contract for the Sewerage Treatment plant in Castlebar. Veolia operate Israeli rail, bus and waste services in the illegally occupied West Bank, making them complicit in Israel's contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention.The motion also proposes that the Town Council write a letter to Veolia Ireland expressing our opposition to their involvement in building a light railway system linking Israel to illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem.

Thérèse Ruane said:

"This is strong statement of solidarity with the Palestine people by members of this council and I'd like to thank them for their unanimous support. This is an apartheid light rail system, linking illegal settlements on Palestinian land to Israel is in violation of international law and infringes on the human rights of the Palestinian people . Veolia is coming under increasing pressure for its active participation in Israel's apartheid policies from countries thoughout the world, in Sweden, Holland, Australia, Iran, France, Australia, the list goes on. Castlebar Town Council now join Galway County Council, Sligo County Council and Dublin City Council in expressing our opposition here in Ireland. The passing of this motion is particularly welcome in the week that the disgraceful decision was made to accept Israel into the OECD."

"I've been to Palestine and I've seen first-hand the Apartheid Wall, the illegal settlements on Palestinian land and the apartheid road system that violates the human rights of Palestinians. We must continue to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people just like the Dunnes Stores Workers opposed the Apartheid System in South Africa in the 1980s. The passing of this resolution by Castlebar Town Council sends a loud and clear message to Veolia that we will not condone Israeli human rights abuses in the occupied territories of Palestine." CRÍOCH