Blockade of Israeli Company by anti-wall protestors
World Observer | 12.11.2004 11:06 | Anti-militarism | Anti-racism | Globalisation | London | World
Yesterday morning, a group of activists have set up a blockade outside the premises of Agrexco-UK. (Carmel House, Swallowfield Way, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1DQ - Tel: 020-8848 7788). Agrexco Ltd. is Israel’s largest exporter of fresh agricultural produce.
Press release: Blockade of Israeli Company by anti-wall protestors
The following action involved protestors from Brighton. They successfully closed the depot and a number of protestors were arrested.
To contact the activists carried out this action or to obtain copies of our photos ring 07969-002-106.
Yesterday morning, a group of activists have set up a blockade outside the premises of Agrexco-UK. (Carmel House, Swallowfield Way, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1DQ - Tel: 020-8848 7788). Agrexco Ltd. is Israel’s largest exporter of fresh agricultural produce.
Exporting under the premium CARMEL label, Agrexco markets over 300,000 tons of fresh produce per year, of which 20% are fruits, 10% citrus, 30% vegetables, 30% flowers, 4% general products and processed food, and 6% plants and propagation materials. The company’s annual turnover for 2003 totalled E500 million. Agrexco is a partnership between the Israeli government (50%), Israeli growers represented by the country s production and marketing boards (25%), and the Tnuva cooperative (25%). (
http://duns100.dundb.co.il/600000764/)
The protest forms part of the 2nd International Week against the Apartheid Wall, which has been called by the Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign. ( http://stopthewall.org/worldwideactivism/800.shtml)
This year s call for mobilization to tear down the Apartheid Wall and end Israeli Occupation is part of the Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign and Palestinian demand for immediate and concrete action on all levels: boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israeli Apartheid to bring an end to Israeli Apartheid and Occupation.
Many of the activists taking part have been to Palestine and have witnessed the misery that is caused by the construction of the euphemistically named “separation barrier”, which has resulted in the de facto confiscation of thousands of dunums of agricultural land, and further severe restrictions on the freedom of movement of the communities nearest to the structure.
The structure was declared illegal under international law, in a ruling by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, on July 9th, 2004. ( http://stopthewall.org/internationallaw/653.shtml)
The ruling stated that:
“The construction of the wall being built by Israel, the occupying Power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, and its associated regime, are contrary to international law;”
and that:
“Israel is under an obligation to terminate its breaches of international law; it is under an obligation to cease forthwith the works of construction of the wall being built in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, to dismantle forthwith the structure therein situated, and to repeal or render ineffective forthwith all legislative and regulatory acts relating thereto, in accordance with paragraph 151 of this Opinion;”
Since the ruling was made, Israel has continued to build the structure on illegally occupied Palestinian land, and if anything has speeded up the construction. Whilst declaring that it intends to unilaterally “disengage” from Occupied Gaza, Israel has continued to confiscate and destroy agricultural land in Gaza and the west Bank, and is currently constructing more residential units in both areas.
The “disengagement plan” would leave Gaza under continued occupation, with Israel controlling its economy, borders, sea and air. Israel has also retained the right to attack Gaza whenever it cares to.
Despite the fact that the ICJ ruled that:
“All States are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction; all States parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949 have in addition the obligation, while respecting the United Nations Charter and international law, to ensure compliance by Israel with international humanitarian law as embodied in that Convention;”
The UK continues to offer Israel favourable trading conditions under the Israel-EU Association Agreement.
The activists are calling on Israel and the rest of the world to honour their obligations under International law, and on the
British people and government to end the Israel-EU Association Agreement and to Boycott Israeli Goods until such time as Israel honours its obligations.
For a PDF of the leaflet being handed out by protestors, go to
http://www.c4p.org.uk/the_wall_must_fall.pdf
To speak to activists on the ground, ring 07969-002-106.
The following action involved protestors from Brighton. They successfully closed the depot and a number of protestors were arrested.
To contact the activists carried out this action or to obtain copies of our photos ring 07969-002-106.
Yesterday morning, a group of activists have set up a blockade outside the premises of Agrexco-UK. (Carmel House, Swallowfield Way, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 1DQ - Tel: 020-8848 7788). Agrexco Ltd. is Israel’s largest exporter of fresh agricultural produce.
Exporting under the premium CARMEL label, Agrexco markets over 300,000 tons of fresh produce per year, of which 20% are fruits, 10% citrus, 30% vegetables, 30% flowers, 4% general products and processed food, and 6% plants and propagation materials. The company’s annual turnover for 2003 totalled E500 million. Agrexco is a partnership between the Israeli government (50%), Israeli growers represented by the country s production and marketing boards (25%), and the Tnuva cooperative (25%). (
http://duns100.dundb.co.il/600000764/) The protest forms part of the 2nd International Week against the Apartheid Wall, which has been called by the Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign. (
http://stopthewall.org/worldwideactivism/800.shtml) This year s call for mobilization to tear down the Apartheid Wall and end Israeli Occupation is part of the Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign and Palestinian demand for immediate and concrete action on all levels: boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israeli Apartheid to bring an end to Israeli Apartheid and Occupation.
Many of the activists taking part have been to Palestine and have witnessed the misery that is caused by the construction of the euphemistically named “separation barrier”, which has resulted in the de facto confiscation of thousands of dunums of agricultural land, and further severe restrictions on the freedom of movement of the communities nearest to the structure.
The structure was declared illegal under international law, in a ruling by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, on July 9th, 2004. (
http://stopthewall.org/internationallaw/653.shtml) The ruling stated that:
“The construction of the wall being built by Israel, the occupying Power, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, and its associated regime, are contrary to international law;”
and that:
“Israel is under an obligation to terminate its breaches of international law; it is under an obligation to cease forthwith the works of construction of the wall being built in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, to dismantle forthwith the structure therein situated, and to repeal or render ineffective forthwith all legislative and regulatory acts relating thereto, in accordance with paragraph 151 of this Opinion;”
Since the ruling was made, Israel has continued to build the structure on illegally occupied Palestinian land, and if anything has speeded up the construction. Whilst declaring that it intends to unilaterally “disengage” from Occupied Gaza, Israel has continued to confiscate and destroy agricultural land in Gaza and the west Bank, and is currently constructing more residential units in both areas.
The “disengagement plan” would leave Gaza under continued occupation, with Israel controlling its economy, borders, sea and air. Israel has also retained the right to attack Gaza whenever it cares to.
Despite the fact that the ICJ ruled that:
“All States are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction; all States parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949 have in addition the obligation, while respecting the United Nations Charter and international law, to ensure compliance by Israel with international humanitarian law as embodied in that Convention;”
The UK continues to offer Israel favourable trading conditions under the Israel-EU Association Agreement.
The activists are calling on Israel and the rest of the world to honour their obligations under International law, and on the
British people and government to end the Israel-EU Association Agreement and to Boycott Israeli Goods until such time as Israel honours its obligations.
For a PDF of the leaflet being handed out by protestors, go to
http://www.c4p.org.uk/the_wall_must_fall.pdf To speak to activists on the ground, ring 07969-002-106.
World Observer