PFLP applauds anti-Olmert protests

Published today (updated) 03/11/2009 10:40

Bethlehem - Ma'an -

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) on Sunday applauded American and British demonstrators who confronted Israeli leaders during speaking engagements and events in recent weeks.

Protests in a number of locales greeted former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the United States and Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon in London last month.

"[T]he only place they should be speaking is before an international tribunal, on trial for their crimes against humanity," the left-wing movement said in a statement.

Adding that while Olmert sought over 50,000 US dollars for one speaking appearance in the US, "the most notable accomplishment of Olmert's tour was the depth of outrage, anger and activity it brought forth in every city he entered," the PFLP said. "Olmert has been chased from city to city, shouted down in every venue and exposed for his war crimes."

The Front insisted the matter was not an issue of free speech, as courts in both continents have failed to arrest Israeli leaders, even in certain cases in which they were indicted, since some officials travel with diplomatic immunity or as privileged guests.

"They can and should be prevented from speaking and traveling," the PFLP said. "They must know that wherever they go, they will be held accountable for their actions and they will not escape the justice of the people of the world."

But the PFLP called for even more. "Every Israeli product, business, official, government, cultural or academic institution complicit with Zionism can and must be boycotted, divested from, subject to complete sanction and entirely shamed and isolated."

"The entire illegitimate settler occupation state should be subject to complete popular international isolation," it added.

Several international labor federations and unions - including the British Trades Union Congress, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees - have taken action to isolate Israel, the PFLP said. "We commend them and call upon trade union and labor activists around the world to emulate their example."

The group also called on protesters to demonstrate against the upcoming visits by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who are scheduled to visit the US within the next several weeks.