TUC 2025 passed motion C14 The crisis in Palestine

The motion was received from National Education Union

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, 1,580 health workers 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, where the demolition of Palestinian homes at record levels and planned construction of tens of thousands of settlement units are further contributing to annexation.

iv. Britain, as a party to the Genocide Convention, has obligations to prevent and punish genocide.

v. 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.

vi. 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, an end to the siege and the release of hostages

b. implement international court rulings and immediately recognise the State of Palestine contributing to a two-state solution

c. immediately end all arms trade and military collaboration with Israel in line with international law

d. implement a total ban on all trade which aids or assists Israel’s violations of international law including with Israel’s illegal settlements

e. 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.

Mover: National Education Union

Seconder: UNISON

Supporters: Unite, Public and Commercial Services Union, Artists’ Union England