The Fire Brigades Union has issued a statement in opposition to the government's anti-boycott bill:
"The FBU is firmly against the government’s Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill.
"The TUC in 2009 agreed to support moves to divest from and boycott the goods of companies that profit from illegal Israeli settlements, the occupation and the construction of the wall.
"Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories have been built in violation of international law.
"UN Resolution 31/36 states that corporations have “directly and indirectly enabled, facilitated and profited from the construction and growth of the Israeli settlements”.
"Palestinian people in the occupied territories face daily oppression and workers elsewhere have supported boycotts in order to extend our solidarity.
"FBU members have previously refused to assist police at protests targeting an Israeli arms factory in the UK because as firefighters, we are, and remain, a proud humanitarian service and our role does not involve law enforcement. The FBU always stands in support of Palestinian solidarity and the right to protest.
"Forty years ago the FBU launched the ‘Freedom Now! Campaign’ that rested on four pillars: stop apartheid repression, boycott apartheid, sanctions now, solidarity with the ANC, and a united, non-racial and democratic South Africa.
"Boycotts are a form of worker solidarity and any move to legislate against them should be opposed.
"The Tories’ Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill is a pernicious attempt to undermine those fighting against oppression. Labour should vote against this bill at second reading and oppose any attempt to diminish or undermine the Palestinian struggle.
"The Fire Brigades Union stands with the oppressed."
