Two weeks after the launch of Disconnect Now, thousands of people have emailed BT asking for an end to the companyâs complicity in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. As BT ignores the human rights implications of their relationship with Bezeq International, activists are calling for people to phone BT and tell them to disconnect now.
A Just Peace for Palestine, along with campaign coalition members War on Want, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, and Palestine Solidarity Campaign, are yet to receive any formal response from BT to their letter calling for a meeting to discuss our concerns.
Members of the public who contacted BT via email have received a standard reply that while failing to address the main issue of the settlements and human rights, mentions that Palestinian telecommunications company Paltel has an arrangement with Bezeq.1 But in an official statement, Paltel have explained that âthe Palestinian telecommunications sector is a captive sector in its own market and is forced into having operational relationships with Bezeq and other Israeli operatorsâ.2
With BT refusing to address campaignersâ serious concerns, we are calling for people to phone BT over the next week.
* To call BTâs headquarters dial 020 7356 5000
* If you are a BT shareholder you can complain by calling 0808 100 4141
* If you are a BT customer dial 152 from your BT landline
Ben White, campaign coordinator for A Just Peace for Palestine, said: âWith BT refusing to address how its complicity in Israelâs illegal settlements can be compatible with the companyâs explicit commitments to human rights, we must keep the pressure up. As BT themselves have said, âCommunication can be vital in helping to resolve conflict and disagreementâ. So call BT today!â
1 https://disconnectnow.org/?p=142
2 https://disconnectnow.org/?p=145
Background:
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. BT claims that it places a commitment to human rights at the heart of company policy.
Disconnect Now online â DisconnectNow
Facebook page â FacebookPage
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Media contact:
Ben White, Campaign coordinator, âA Just Peace for Palestineâ
T: 02075882638
E: info@justpeaceforpalestine.org; W: https://www.justpeaceforpalestine.org