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New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today issued letters expressing “outrage” at a decision by Britain’s Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU), Unite the Union-Amicus Section, and UNISON, the British Public Services Union, to boycott Israeli goods.

“I am dismayed by this recent, and thankfully thus far, limited effort,” said Thompson. “My office has long advocated for constructive dialogue rather than antagonism and retaliation.  Boycotts of this nature will result merely in a failure to achieve a just and fair resolution of the Middle East conflict.”

Thompson addressed his letters - available at www.comptroller.nyc.gov - to Dave Prentis, General Secretary at UNISON, Britian’s largest trade union, which passed a boycott motion on June 20th urging Israel to respect Palestine’s right to self-discrimination and to establish states in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with its capital in Jerusalem.

Letters were also sent to Derek Simpson – General Secretary at Unite the Union-Amicus Section – and to Tony Woodley – General Secretary at the TGWU.

The British Embassy in Israel issued a statement saying, “The boycott declared by the Transport and General Workers Union will not harm the growing commercial relations between the two countries.”

“Comptroller Thompson’s clear statement of opposition to these anti-Israel resolutions is to be applauded,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Jewish Labor Committee and President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.

“His voice, joining the many voices in government, labor, academia and elsewhere who are speaking up against such statements, will hopefully strengthen those men and women in the Middle East, and their supporters around the globe, working for the goal we all share: a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through meaningful negotiations and mutual respect, with the involvement and encouragement of the world community.”

“I thank Comptroller Thompson for his bold words against these ill-conceived anti-Israel resolutions,” Appelbaum added.  “It is my hope that Comptroller Thompson’s words will be followed by similar actions by others truly concerned about seeking a just and fair resolution, and peace in the Middle East.”

Thompson said the boycott of Israeli products will have a “corrosive” impact on the Middle East and inflame tensions in the region.  Additionally, the Comptroller charged that the boycott damages the standing of the unions.

“I applaud the many unions within the United States that remain steadfast in their opposition to these boycotts,” the Comptroller said.  “I will continue to encourage New Yorkers to support peace in the Middle East by using constructive means and to oppose these and any other boycotts of Israeli products.”

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