News, April 18, 2009

Palestine campaigners call on London Mayor to say “Peddle Off to Veolia,” for supporting the Israeli occupation

ccun.org, April 18, 2009

 
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has called on the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Transport for London (TFL) to exclude the French transport company Veolia from bidding for the contact to run London’s proposed free cycle hire scheme because of their track record in human rights abuse.
 
Veolia are one of a small number of international companies that have and continue to profit from illegal occupation of land by Israeli settlers and the abuse of the Palestinian People. One of their most recent contracts was for the building of a $4.5 billion transport project that included a tram system from the illegally occupied settlements to East Jerusalem.
 
Commenting on the possibility of Veolia being awarded the contract Betty Hunter General Secretary of the PSC said:
 
“The vast majority of Londoners will be appalled if Boris Johnson and TFL award the cycle hire scheme to Veolia given their history in profiting from the illegal occupation of Palestinian land. This would be a grotesque exploitation of the human suffering of the Palestinian people. Veolia's tramline, going through East Jerusalem is destroying the homes and lives of Palestinians. The Mayor and TFL should show moral leadership and state clearly now that they will not allow a company which profits from the suffering of Palestinians to deliver this important service to the people of London.
 
PSC will continue to campaign against Veolia and other companies who earn money from the abuse of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories. We hope the Mayor and Transport for London will take a necessary stand on this issue.”
 
 Betty Hunter is available for comment: 020 7700 6192
 
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) aims to raise public awareness about the occupation of Palestine and the struggle of the Palestinian people. PSC seek to bring pressure on both the British and Israeli government to bring their policies in line with international law. PSC is an independent, non-governmental and non-party political organisation with members from communities across the UK. Join PSC today!
 
 
 
Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Box BM PSA
London
WC1N 3XX
Tel:   020 7700 6192
Fax:  020 7609 7779
Email: info@palestinecampaign.org
Web: www.palestinecampaign.org