UNISON repeats call for ceasefire in Middle East

[UNISON Scotland Community & Voluntary sector e-group]

Urge Tony Blair to call for an immediate ceasefire by all warring
parties.

Text CEASEFIRE with your name, to 87099.

Hundreds have already died in Lebanon, Gaza and Israel, and an
estimated 500,000 people have fled their homes.

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Dear Prime Minister,

We are deeply alarmed that the situation in the Lebanon, Gaza and
Israel continues to rapidly deteriorate.

We welcome your statement that recognised the catastrophic impact the
crisis is having. But the British government has not used its full infl
uence to bring about an immediate ceasefire.

By failing to back the UN and call for an immediate ceasefi re, the UK
government has reduced the impact of inter national calls for an
immediate halt to the violence. As such, your current policy risks
putting civilian lives at continued risk rather than helping to protect
them.

The present policy looks in danger of placing the UK government in the
uncomfortable position of only calling for a ceasefire once one side in
the confl ict has achieved its military objectives.

We urge you to use your meeting with President Bush today to publicly
call for an immediate ceasefi re by all sides before more civilians
die.

Yours sincerely,

BASIC CAFOD CARE International UK Christian Aid International Rescue
Committee Islamic Relief Worldwide Medact Muslim Council of Britain
Oxfam Save the Children UNISON War on Want Welfare Association World
Vision UK