PNN / Fadi Yacoub – Speaking to PNN on Tuesday, Bassam Zakareh confirmed that the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions intends to take steps to escalate the strike in Gaza. The union leader said, “The spread of the strike will be significant in response to the crimes perpetrated by Hamas and the police.”

He is referring to the Teachers Union strike, which was followed by the Health Professions strike in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Center of Human Rights then called on all Palestinians to stop using political reasons for striking, and to keep the strikes away from the schools.

PCHR was taking note of the pro-strike position of Fateh, and the anti-strike position of Hamas. The teachers strike was supported by the Ramallah government, the Palestinian Authority, while being condemned by Gaza’s Hamas government. Not all teachers joined the strike, nor did all health professionals. Late Tuesday the PCHR issued another statement expressing concern over the strikes.

When 45 strikers were arrested in Gaza the Union issued a condemnation and announced the escalation.

Zakarna told PNN that the Union is expanding the strike to include the professional, health, educational and governmental sectors. “This will go on for a full week. And if that doesn’t work we will take further steps to escalate.”

The government schools teachers strike began in Gaza at the onset of the 2008 – 2009 school year in August. The Hamas government announced that any striker would not be allowed to return: “They lost their right to the education sector.” The Union issued a statement that they were waiting for an apology and for a reversal of the decision. When the Health Professions Union began striking shortly thereafter the government blocked them not only from returning to public practice, but from entering the private sector as well.

“The stringent measures and repression, against doctors in particular, imposed by the Hamas government and police has led to this escalation in the strike,” the union leader told PNN.

Zakarna continued, “Both the doctors and staff are subjected to suppression by elements of Hamas. A 58 year old doctor was beaten by members of Hamas after being taken from inside his home. They did it in front of his wife and his sons, beating him brutally and without ethical reasoning. There are many similar incidents taking place.”

The escalation of the strike will not take place in the streets, no public marches or protests, Zakarna concluded with PNN, “because we fear for the lives of the people.”

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