Last month, Israel Railways, a state-owned company, launched a new policy denying employment to railroad crossing guards who have no permit to carry weapons - that is: who have not served in the Israeli army. This policy will lead to the lay-off of the approximately 150 Arab railway workers who monitor and maintain Israel's level crossings.

You can read more about this here. I have today sent this message in support of the appeal against this, and I plan tomorrow to send another message, with the names of many more RMT reps and members. If you would like your name to be included, please e-mail me.

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I utterly condemn the attempt by Israel Railways to drive Arab workers out of their jobs. This is both racist and an attack on the right to work.

On London Underground, we are currently waging a battle against 1,000+ job losses and against the super-exploitation of ethnic minority, migrant workers in the cleaning grade. Our fight against job losses and racism is the same as yours.

I have confirmed today with our General Secretary, Bob Crow, that RMT has tabled this issue for discussion at the Executive meeting of the International Transport Workers' Federation, which meets tomorrow and Friday.

Solidarity!

Janine Booth Secretary RMT London Transport Regional Council