New AFL-CIO head rejects Israel boycott

November 4, 2009

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The new president of the AFL-CIO rejected boycotting Israel.

The 11.5 million-member labor federation is "proud to stand with the JLC to oppose boycotting Israel," Richard Trumka said, during a talk to the Jewish Labor Committee at its annual Human Rights Dinner on Oct. 27. Trumka also spoke out against both anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism.

"In America, we sometimes think that anti-Semitism is part of the past, but the truth is that it’s like a weed that can always grow back," he said. "And that’s especially true during hard times. You know, sometimes it’s couched as 'anti-Zionism.’ Other times there’s no effort to disguise it at all.”

He added, "The Jewish community here -- and around the world -- has never had a stronger ally than the AFL-CIO," and expressed support for President Obama's peace initiative in the Middle East.

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