Press Releases

May 1, 2012: CUP and DAR, in cooperation with BADIL Resource Center, called for a demonstration and a sit in to commemorate International Workers Day. Many activists, organizations and trade unions participated in the call to create awareness and highlight the threat of the Ongoing Nakba as a direct result of Israeli policy. Israel, as the occupying power in the oPt, continues implementing discriminatory practices against the Palestinian people in the form of forced displacement, home demolitions, expulsion outside Jerusalem borders, and denial of the right to residence and housing.

These violations of international law and human rights require a clear political position from all supporters of Palestine.

Concurrently, on this day the call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against the Israeli-whose products fill European markets-was answered by the Swiss public and many letters were sent to several markets to discontinue carrying Israeli products. The call of BDS was clear in the t-shirts worn by the participants. The t-shirts declared “Free Palestine” on one side and “Boycott Israeli Products” on the other.

A letter addressed to the DEAF, Monsieur Didier Burkhalter, Counselor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed the situation of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and the role of Switzerland as a depository of the 4th Geneva Convention. The letter highlighted that the Israeli regime has continued to violate any obligations imposed on it by international law and international conventions. Furthermore, that the international community should hold Israel to account for its blatant violations of human rights laws.
The letter was endorsed by all participants.