Geelong Advertiser -- January 9, 2009 -- Geelong Trades Hall secretary Tim Gooden has backed calls for the Rudd Government to cut ties with Israel over the current crisis in the Gaza Strip.
In a letter headed Trade Unionists for Palestine, Mr Gooden and other prominent unionists have called on the Rudd Government to denounce ``the latest Israeli aggression against Gaza''.
The signatories include the state president of the Tertiary Education Union, Dr James Doughney, AMWU state secretary Steve Dargeval, the assistant secretary of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union Burt Blackburne.
The group called on the ACTU and regional trades and labour councils to:
DEMAND the Rudd Government sever all ties with Israel; and
GIVE full support to the protest movement in Australia against the Israeli aggression.
The letter makes no mention of rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas militants.