UNISON repeats call for ceasefire in Middle East.

See also Urgent appeal from Lebanese trade unions (Labourstart website)

From: 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

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