Largest Labor Union in Norway Calls for Boycotting Israel

OSLO: While little action has been taken against Israel to end its occupation and killings in the West Bank, Norway's largest labor union today called for a boycott of Israel.

There is a growing dismay in Norway and strong rejection of the mass killing committed by Israeli troops in various West Bank areas.

The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions accused Israel of committing gross violations of international law and human rights.

The 800,000-member union, also known as LO, demanded the Norwegian government to help in bringing international sanctions against Israel if it does not withdraw from occupied territories and follow United Nations resolutions.

The government which showed some interest in the idea, said sanctions would have to be part of an international decision.

But LO, a powerful group in Norway, urged members to boycott Israeli products, Israeli state and embassy functions and to avoid travel to Israel until its troops withdraw.

The union asked members to show solidarity with the Palestinian people in parades and demonstrations on May 1, International Labor Day.

Norwegians are taken part in an international solidarity movement aimed at defending the Palestinian people by using themselves as human shields in the face of Israeli army attacks, and Norwegian aid groups sent an expert team to the Palestinian refugee camp of Jenin today to secure damaged structures and prepare for other efforts following what is described by the UN as mass killings.