Stop Zionist Attacks On AROC-Statement Of TWSC

Stop Zionist Attacks On AROC-Statement Of TWSC
Statement of Transport Workers Solidarity Committee

August 11, 2015

The Transport Workers Solidarity Committee unequivocally defends AROC against attacks by the Jewish Community Relations Committee. We also defend AROC and any critics of Israel should the California State Assembly bill #35 be implemented and directed against AROC or other anti-Zionist protesters by the U.C. Regents. That is the bill which falsely equates anti-semitism with anti-zionism. Any attempt to stifle AROC’s freedom of speech on campus would also effect any actions in the port protesting Zionist atrocities.

At the same time we are obligated to point out that the UAW 2865 meeting chaired by an AROC supporter at UC Berkeley last December was not run democratically. Members of TWSC were not called on because some of us, including members of the ILWU, who’d participated in the 2010 anti-Zim port protest, are critical of the BDS campaign. It’s not a strategy based on the working class. AROC head Lara Kiswani who was a panelist could have corrected this but didn’t.

TWSC also had differences with AROC last August when Block the Boat and AROC called a rally in the port while the ZIM Piraeus was still at sea, claimed a victory and called an end to the protest. TWSC and others disagreed. We fought to continue the protest until the ship left port unloaded by longshore workers. We knew that to stop the ZIM ship required the support of longshore workers honoring the picket line. We’re glad some of you changed your position and decided to join us on the picket line not only in August but again in September. Together we were able to stop any cargo movements with the support of the rank and file longshoremen. That picket line action was recognized by the Palestinian solidarity group, Friends of Sabeel. Local 10 activist Stacey Rodgers and myself as TWSC chair received the award on behalf of the ILWU.

Despite our differences we recognize that unity of action against Zionist repression is essential. Again, we defend AROC against any Zionist attack and agree to have our organization listed as such on your petition.

Stop Zionist and Imperialist Repression Here and in Israel!

In Solidarity,

Jack Heyman