BTâS Human Rights Commitments Undermined by Link with Bezeq International
âA Just Peace For Palestineâ Launches New Initiative in Partnership with War on Want, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, and Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Human rights campaigners are today calling on BT to end its complicity in serious breaches of international law and human rights abuses, through its partnership with Israeli telecommunications company Bezeq International.
In January 2010, BT welcomed Israeli company Bezeq International into its Global Alliance. Bezeq International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bezeq, which provides telecommunication services to illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The settlements are not just illegal under international law â they violate the human rights of Palestinians living under military occupation. Settlements are also an obstacle to a just peace.
BT claims to conduct its business according to high ethical standards, placing a commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility â as well as respect for human rights â at the heart of what it does. A Just Peace for Palestine, an initiative of Amos Trust, is launching the âDisconnect Nowâ campaign to tell BT to do the right thing and ensure that the companyâs high standards are not just talk.
âDisconnect Nowâ is supported by War on Want, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, and Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). The launch of the campaign coincides with the publication of War on Wantâs report âBoycott Divestment Sanctions: Winning Justice for the Palestinian Peopleâ, as well as PSCâs week of BDS (Boycott Divestment Sanctions) action.
A Just Peace for Palestine is a multi-agency campaign that seeks to educate, resource, and mobilise faith communities and groups across Britain who support a just peace. Amplifying the voices of partners on the ground in Palestine/Israel, we take our lead from grassroots peacemakers. We work within a framework of inter-religious action, with a focus on Christian groups.
Rev Canon Garth Hewitt, Director of Amos Trust said: âBT has the chance to prove that its commitment to human rights is not just talk. The message is simple â BT must âdisconnectâ from its relationship with Bezeq International and end its complicity in the illegal settlements.â
Disconnect Now online â https://disconnectnow.org
Facebook page â https://www.facebook.com/pages/Disconnect-Now/129338493790585
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Media contact:
Rev Canon Garth Hewitt, Director, Amos Trust
T: 02075882638
Ben White, Campaign coordinator, âA Just Peace for Palestineâ
T: 02075882638
E: info@justpeaceforpalestine.org; W: https://www.justpeaceforpalestine.org