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Israel-Palestine: Model motion for working-class solidarity to stop the slaughter in Gaza

  • Writer: SA in UNISON
    SA in UNISON
  • Oct 24, 2023
  • 3 min read



  1. This branch expresses its deep solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli civilians impacted by the ongoing events in Israel-Palestine.

  2. We oppose the air strikes, bombing and the planned ground invasion of Gaza which will result in many thousands more deaths and injuries. This will not bring peace and security to the region but will just lead to more destruction and death.

This branch notes:

  1. Gaza continues to be the world’s biggest open air prison, with over 2 million people living under constant blockade by Israel and Egypt. This has reached new heights with the collective punishment by the Israeli state of the entire population with widescale bombing of hospitals, schools, residential areas and access to fuel being turned off. The government of Israel has sought to dehumanise Palestinians by referring to them as “human animals”, preparing the ground for more slaughter.

  2. The Tory government’s plans to attempt to limit peaceful protest and free speech on this issue. This is the same government that is making it harder for workers here to take strike action against the cost of living crisis. We oppose all attempts by employers, academic and educational institutions to ban campaigning against the slaughter. The Tories do not care for working class people here, in Palestine, or in Israel. We oppose the UK government (backed by the leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer) giving a green light to the Israeli government to act with impunity and we oppose any military assistance or aid given for this war.

  3. We note that the Labour Party has shamefully banned MPs and councillors from attending solidarity demonstrations, which must be staunchly opposed by the whole trade union movement.

This branch believes:

  1. We have to look at the root causes of the conflict. Prior to this escalation, 2023 had already been one of the deadliest years for Palestinians living under Occupation in the West Bank, with increased settler violence against Palestinians, increased administrative detentions and home evictions.

  2. We oppose the air strikes, bombing and the planned ground invasion of Gaza which will result in many thousands more deaths and injuries. This will not bring peace and security to the region but will just lead to more destruction and death.

  3. We oppose education institutions within Israel expelling Palestinian students and anti-war activists from their courses.

  4. Solidarity with the fight for Palestinian liberation does not equate to support for Hamas, or for violence against Israeli civilians or Jewish people here in Britain. We strongly oppose anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism.

  5. We support the call of 16.10.23 from Palestinian trade union organisations to oppose and to not comply with the war machine and believe that our movement internationally has the power and the responsibility to stop this war.

  6. We stand for the rights and self determination of all national groupings, Palestinian and Israeli. Ultimately, the ruling establishment of Israel, and the surrounding states in the Middle East, have no desire for, or path to peace, they help perpetuate the continuing violence. We support a movement of ordinary Palestinians and Israelis on both sides of the national divide and of the masses across the region to challenge the system that maintains this nightmare; to fight for an end to the occupation, siege and all oppression and exploitation and in support of equality, rights, peace and security for all.

This branch resolves to:

  • Publicise and call on members to join protests in solidarity with the Palestinian people, against the war, occupation, siege of Gaza and further escalation.

  • Publicise the call from trade union organisations in Palestine to oppose and campaign against the Israeli war machine and seek to forge stronger links with unions opposing the war and in support of workers rights.

  • Ensure that employers covered by the branch are supporting our members impacted by this crisis.

  • Continue and step up our solidarity work on this issue including circulation of union educational material to our members and activists.

  • Send this motion to relevant union bodies and to publicise it to our members through the usual channels.

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