This local action is part of an internationally co-ordinated event taking place on 30th March 2012, the Global march for Jerusalem. The Global March to Jerusalem is a peaceful movement to assert the importance of Jerusalem politically, culturally and religiously to the Palestinian people and humanity as a whole.

WMPSC is highlighting the activities of Veolia ES in East Jerusalem which includes its involvement an infrastructure project which has been cited as being in breach of international law. Veolia is a partner in the construction and running of a Light railway system in Occupied East Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem Light Rail project provides a fast connection between the illegal settlements with West Jerusalem. Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem are illegal under the Geneva Convention. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.”

In Birmingham Veolia ES are contracted by the City Council to provide a multi-million pound waste management service, a contract that runs until 2019. Veolia ES is the subject of an international boycott campaign due to its involvement in the Jerusalem Light Rail project. Local Authorities in Sandwell, Swansea and some London Boroughs have recently decided against doing business with Veolia following local campaigns in support of Palestinian rights.

West Midlands PSC is calling on Veolia ES to withdraw its involvement in all commercial activities which support the Israeli occupation in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories. It has vowed to campaign against the renewal of the waste management contract with Veolia when the contract is retendered unless Veolia breaks its commercial activities in the Occupied Palestinian territories.

Naeem Malik, Chair of West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign:
We are calling on Veolia ES to adhere to international law and human right standards and to withdraw from all commercial activities in the Jerusalem and the Occupied Palestinian territories which support the illegal occupation. Failing this West Midlands PSC will continue to campaign to get Birmingham City Council to review its waste management contract with Veolia.

People in Birmingham want to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people and their opposition to Israeli policies to ethnically cleanse East Jerusalem. The unrestricted expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, the continued dispossession and demolition of Palestinian property, and the construction of a Separation Wall surrounding the city, all of which have changed the demographics of the holy city from a Palestinian to Jewish majority.

About the protest
The protest will take place from 2.30pm to 4pm outside the Veolia ES site, James Road, Tyseley, Birmingham B11 2BA.

For more information about Jerusalem:
Jerusalem used to be a city where the three faiths lived peacefully side-by-side. When the state of Israel was declared in 1947 the United Nations declared Jerusalem an international zone. However, most of the territory was claimed by Israel. In 1967 they occupied what remained - East Jerusalem. This illegal annexation is not recognised by the international community but the impact of this occupation is huge on the Palestinian population.

Global March for Jerusalem:  http://gm2j.com/main/
PSC factsheet The colonisation and ethnic cleansing of Jerusalem :
 http://www.palestinecampaign.org/images/factsheets/Jerusalem%20factsheet.pdf