Received from: National Education Union
Merged into composite C14
Congress notes:
i. Israel’s ongoing genocidal onslaught on Gaza has killed over 55,000 Palestinians, including 18,000 children. Key workers have been targeted by Israel, with 166 journalists and media workers, 120 academics, and over 224 humanitarian aid workers killed since 2023
ii. alongside widespread destruction of vital infrastructure including homes, hospitals, schools, and universities, Israel is blocking food and humanitarian aid, causing starvation and the spread of preventable disease
iii. threats by Israeli government ministers including Netanyahu, supported by Trump, to ethnically cleanse Gaza, while settler and army attacks on Palestinians have increased significantly in the occupied West Bank
iv. despite words of condemnation, the British government continues to export weapons and military technology used by Israel in Gaza, including parts for F-35 fighter jets. Britain, as a party to the Genocide Convention, has obligations to prevent and punish genocide.
v. on May Day, Palestinian trade unions reiterated their call for unions across the world to escalate campaigns “to end this shameful complicity in Israel’s illegal occupation, colonial apartheid and genocide”, through boycotts, divestment and sanctions.
Congress reaffirms its existing policy supporting Palestinian rights.
Congress urgently calls on the UK government to:
a. take meaningful action to secure an immediate, complete, and permanent ceasefire with full access for food and aid delivery into Gaza
b. immediately end all arms trade and military collaboration with Israel
c. implement a total ban on all trade which aids or assists Israel’s violations of international law including with Israel’s illegal settlements.
National Education Union
AMENDMENT
In bullet i.. after “academics”, add: “1,580 health workers”
In bullet iii. at the end, add:
“where the demolition of Palestinian homes at record levels and planned construction of tens of thousands of settlement units are further contributing to annexation.”
In bullet a. at the end, add:
“, an end to the siege and the release of hostages.”
After action a. add a new action b. (and renumber accordingly): “Implement international court rulings and immediately recognise Palestine, contributing to a two-state solution.”
UNISON
AMENDMENT
In bullet b., delete “all arms trade and” insert “and all licences for arms traded” before “with Israel”. Then insert “, in line with international law” after “Israel”.
Unite
AMENDMENT
Add new bullet after bullet c.:
“d. repeal the authoritarian proscription of Palestine Action under counter-terrorism laws and uphold and strengthen the right to peaceful protest following the arrest of activists, including Ben Jamal, on peaceful Palestine Solidarity Campaign marches.”
Public and Commercial Services Union
AMENDMENT
Add new bullet after bullet c.:
“d. recognise immediately the State of Palestine
Artists’ Union England