Pressure on Pizzarotti may thwart the plans

by Yehoshua Breiner, Walla.co.il

As Israelis eagerly await upgrades to Israel's railway lines, the boycott locomotive in Europe keeps moving: left-wing groups and human rights activists in Italy are exerting heavy pressure on the Pizzarotti company from Parma, to cease its involvement in the ongoing construction of the railway line between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, since 6.5 Km of the route are inside Palestinian territory, near the villages of Beit Sourik and Beit Iksa, on the outskirts of Jerusalem. It should be noted that the company is responsible for the construction of 1.5 Km of the aforementioned 6 Km section.

The new rail line is supposed to shorten travel between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to 28 minutes. The Civil Administration has confiscated 50 Dunam for the construction of the tracks, and the Italian company's involvement in the project has caused a stir in the land of the boot.

In May 2011 a German company Deutsche Bahn] left the project, after heavy pressure had been exerted on it. This week, a town named Rho, in the Milan province, has passed a resolution denouncing Pizzarotti for its partnership in the project with the [Israeli company] Shapir Engineering, thereby intensifying pressure on the former to end its business operations in Israel. In addition to holding vigils in front of the company's offices, activists have asked Italian banks to cut its credit lines, or risk being regarded as collaborators with the Israeli occupation. According to the protest initiators, additional Italian municipalities are expected to denounce Pizzarotti, and some of them may terminate contracts with the company if it does not end its activity in Israel.

"A Violation of International Law"

90 NGOs and groups from Italy and Europe have joined the protest, including the BDS movement, which calls for a boycott of Israel because of its policies in the West Bank.

"The construction of the rail line inside Palestinian territory" is "a violation of international law and a violation of human rights", according to the organizations. "Construction in occupied territories for the civilian population is forbidden according to all international conventions. The construction of the rail line to Jerusalem is a continuation of Israeli apartheid and colonial policies, excluding the Palestinian population which has resided on the land for many years. Pizzarotti's involvement amounts to participation in war crimes which are being committed by Israel".

The local leader of the boycott campaign against companies which operate in Judea and Samaria [West Bank] is the "Coalition of Women for Peace" NGO, which coordinates, under the name "Who Profits", a database of the Israeli and international companies that profit from what they regard as "the Israeli occupation in the West Bank". On Pizzarotti's website, no mention of its activity in Israel is made, although the company is involved in various projects, including in the Philippines and Morocco.

"We believe that the Rho precedent will help other municipalities to denounce the company", says Stephanie Westbrook, a Rome-based activist in the "Stop The Train!" movement. "The expropriation of land for the construction of the rail line is a violation of international law which harms Palestinian families. Pizzarotti have already realized that they are in an awkward position, but they state that they have no intention of pulling out of the project since substantial resources have been invested in it, and we intend to continue our campaign against them".

Pizzarotti is not Alone

In September, Israel's High Court of Justice turned down an appeal by the residents of Beit Iksa, on the pretext of a delay in the appeal. At the hearing, the state also claimed that it intends to construct rail lines connecting various cities in Judea and Samaria, and that these would also serve the Palestinians.

In addition to the pressure exerted on the Italian company, a line of campaigns by left-wing groups all over the world have promoted a boycott of Israel, and their influence is clearly showing. For example, in the UK, the Ahava cosmetics company had to close shop following loud weekly protests. Last month, protest vigils were held all across Europe in front of restaurants and supermarket chains selling fruit and vegetables marketed by Agrexco and Mehadrin, under the title "Take Apartheid off the Menu!". Protest vigils have recently been held in front of the Mehadrin offices in London, and the activists have even had rotten fruit delivered to the local employees.

Shapir Engineering has refused to comment. The Israeli Ministry of Transportation has so far issued no comment.

- Translated by Ofer Neiman

- Published by Walla!, 9 Dec. 2011 (Hebrew source: http://news.walla.co.il/?w=/90/1883828 )