Three Human Rights Observers with the International Solidarity Movement have begun a hunger strike in protest over the illegal confiscation of Palestinian fishing boats by Israel. The three HROs, Darlene Wallach of the U.S., Vittorio Arrigoni of Italy, and Andrew Muncie of Scotland, were forcibly abducted by the Israeli Navy on Tuesday, while accompanying unarmed Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the Gaza Strip.

According to Wallach, “We were fishing about 7 miles off the shores of Gaza. The Israeli soldiers came on board the three boats via four Zodiacs. The frogmen came up and over each boat. They used a taser on Vik while he was still on the boat, then tried to push him backwards onto a sharp piece of wood. He jumped into the sea to avoid being hurt more than he already was and was in the water for quite a while. Then they came for me and forced me into the Zodiac at the point of a gun. They kidnapped me and Andrew and Vik and all of the Palestinian fishermen.”

The Labour Government in Westminster are about to take up to 40% of benefits from lone parents who cannot find work.  From next week parents whose children are over 12 years old will face benefit cuts if you do not prove they are looking for work or take jobs affered to them.  Solidarity Co-Convenor, Rosemary Byrne said:

"Income Support is already too low, how could a family survive on 40% less?  Not all parents have the support of extended family and this could lead to many teenagers fending for themselves.  The only result of this will be more latch-key children and more poverty.  At a time when people are losing jobs Labour should be targetting the rich and not the poorest.  They have billions for bankers yet want to raid the purses of already hard-pressed families."

Today Lloyds TSB shareholders voted to accept a taxpayer subsidy while also voting to buy out one of their biggest rivals.  People must be wondering why a bank that can afford to be buying other banks needs a state subsidy.  It is like asking for housing benefit so that you can afford to but a second home.

Meanwhile, the Government spend more public money on TV advertisements calling on people to report benefit fraud.  Today we have witnessed a glaring example of an undeserving and dishonest claim for state help, get phoning!

The SNP answer was to have HBOS taken over by their wealthy supporter Sir George Matthewson.  According to Alex Salmond Sir George is the man to protect Scottish banks.  When Matthewson was in charge of the RBS he presided over 18,000 job cuts, and he is still paid by RBS as a consultant.

Solidarity believe in the democratic nationalisation of the banks and financial institutions to provide cheap credit for housing and for the economy as a whole.  To read Capitalism in Crisis - A Socialist Reponse, passed unanimously at the recent Solidarity Conference, click 'read more' below

The members of two trades unions representing council workers in Scotland have rejected the pay offer from Cosla.  Cosla had offered a pay rise of below the rate of inflation this year and next year, effectively a pay cut for workers.  Today's figures see inflation falling to 4.5% from 5.2%, still well above the Cosla offer of 3% this year and 2.5% next year.

GMB represent 25,000 council workers and voted 2-1 against accepting the offer.  Unite members also rejected the deal, their Scottish Regional Orgainser Jimmy Farrelly said his union's members voted for rejection in a high turnout.

"There is a genuine resentment and frustration by our members".

Solidarity Co-Convenor Rosemary Byrne called on the party's members to get behind the union members in the next stage, possible strike action:

"Many of Solidarity's members play an active role in these unions in local government, we will stand alongside them in this fight for as long as it takes."

SUN 30 NOV

SRSM annual John Maclean Rally, assemble 1pm at eastwood cemetery Glasgow, march to John Maclean cairn in Pollockshaws.  Live music and entertainment, all welcome.

Speakers: Bill Kidd MSP (SNP), Tommy Sheridan (Solidarity), Brian Quail (SRSM/SCND)

TUE 02 DEC

SWP Meeting – Capitalism Isn’t Working – The Case For Socialism.  7.30pm, St Andrews in The Square, Saltmarket, Glasgow

Speakers: Lindsey German and Martin Smith

Solidarity, Scotland's Socialist Movement have called for a full public inquiry into health and safety in Scotland's open cast coal mines following the deaths last year of Colin Ferguson and Brian French at Pennyvenie.
 
At Solidarity's annual conference in Glasgow last weekend, a motion from Coalfields Solidarity calling for the inquiry was passed unanimously.  Jim Walls, convenor of shop stewards in TGWU/unite Scottish Coal branch, who represents workers across Scotland's coalfields said:
 
"We are delighted that Solidarity have backed our call for a full inquiry.  A fatal accident report will not be sufficient to explain why so many deaths occur in this industry, only a full public inquiry will identify any systematic problems in the operation of open cast sites."
 
Coalfields Solidarity is a branch of Solidarity, Scotland's Socialist Movement formed by workers in Scotland's open cast mines.

To read the full motion click below.
 

Anyone watching the coverage of Barak Obama’s US Election victory could not fail to be moved by the genuine outpouring of joy and enthusiasm that accompanied the result. 

Millions of Americans, angry at the state of the economy, angry at the inequality that exists in their nation and angry at American foreign policy have delivered a stinging rebuttal of the politics of George W Bush, John McCain and the Republican Party.

Storm Clouds Over Glenrothes

Solidarity's candidate Louise with her guide dog Heidi

People like Eddie who is now retired after moving to Glenrothes form Pollock in Glasgow. Like thousands of other people Eddie was attracted to the Fife new town by the thought of a bright future and a better tomorrow. Instead, he joins a growing list of people concerned about pensions, low pay, unemployment and rising fuel bills. 

“I hear Gordon Brown’s in the town today,” he said, “I’ve been looking for him all morning to ask him how I am supposed to pay my bills on the pension they give me.” 

Gordon Brown however had long since left Glenrothes. A staged managed appearance at a supporter’s café across town was the extent to his by-election campaigning. Throughout the day scores of angry shopper told us that they were waiting for Brown. 

“He’ll no show face here…he might be daft but he’s no stupid,” said one woman.

To read more of this article go to our by-election blog icon on the right

Over 100 people attended a successful Solidarity public meeting in Dundee on Thursday October 16th.Tommy Sheridan, Co-Convenor of Solidarity joined Dundee trade unionist Jim McFarlane and other local activists in calling for a socialist solution to the crisis in world capitalism. 

Tommy speaking in Dundee

"It is a sad reflection on both society as a whole and the university sector specifically that so much university research now is military related. Every pound invested in researching how to kill and maim other human beings is not only a pound lost to cancer, anti-poverty and renewable energy research, it also represents a waste of publicly-trained scientists, researchers and university laboratory space." Tommy Sheridan