West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign welcomes the decision made by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council not to consider further Veolia”s bid for the ‘Waste Improvement Plan’ contract, a contract worth £1 billion over 20 years.
French multinational company Veolia is complicit in the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. Veolia is a leading partner in the CityPass consortium, contracted to build a light rail tramway system linking west Jerusalem to illegal Jewish settlements in occupied east Jerusalem. With its involvement in this project, the company is directly implicated in the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and is playing a key role in Israel”s attempt to make its annexation of the territory of east Jerusalem irreversible. This construction project violates Article 49 of the 4th Geneva Convention.
Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the annexation of East Jerusalem are illegal under international law. The settlements violate Article 49 of the 4th Geneva Convention, which provides that: “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies” as well as Article 53, which forbids destruction of property.
The decision made by Sandwell Council is a victory for organisations and individuals who are campaigning for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions of Israel”s illegal activities directed at the Palestinian people. Our campaign, and Sandwell Council”s decision, show that companies need to be aware that in order to have community support they must behave ethically. Sandwell Council has set a positive example which other councils should follow.
West Midlands PSC looks forward to working alongside local communities, trade unionists and sympathetic Councillors in the fight for justice for Palestinians.
