Unite policy conference backs Palestine

Andy Ford reports on Unite policy conference

Last week, the Unite policy conference passed an important statement presented by the Executive Council. The full text of the statement, which was passed overwhelmingly (with a handful of votes against) and is now, therefore, official Unite policy, is as follows:

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The Executive Council condemns in the strongest terms the genocidal actions of the Israeli government committed in Gaza and the West Bank including the ethnic cleansing, famine, attacks on civilians, children, hospitals, and aid distribution sites. Entire populations have been displaced and vital infrastructure has been destroyed. At least 61,000 Palestinians have been deliberately killed.

Israel is on trial for genocide at the International Court of Justice, which issued an advisory opinion in July 2024 stating that Israel’s ongoing presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli leaders for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions has called for global solidarity. They have asked that workers refuse to deal with military shipments to Israel, especially those transported by logistic companies Maersk and ZIM. Furthermore, BDS has been shown to be an effective, peaceful strategy in campaigning in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Unite will support worker-led campaigns to boycott the handling of Israeli goods and services in their workplaces and campaigns for divestment from Israeli companies in their workplaces and the wider community. Prior to taking action, Unite will engage with members and reps in any affected sectors. We will not take any action that will put members’ jobs at risk without their consent. Furthermore, Unite will give full support to any individual member or section of members, who seek and do not get adequate assurances from their employers that are not breaching international law while they carry our their work duties.

Unite has a moral and internationalist obligation to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. This has been reflected by our policy on Palestinian solidarity that has been reaffirmed and strengthened at each policy conference since the formation of the union in 2007.

The UK continues to support and sell arms to Israel. The Labour government must use its international position to bring an end to the genocide and to find a negotiated solution. This includes the use of sanctions and divestment, and the rejection of military escalation or intervention. Labour must adhere to their manifesto promise and recognise the state of Palestine.

While site reps continue to defend people’s rights to protest, we cannot condone protesters who abuse or blame our members for the actions of the Israeli government. However, we do advise reps where they are confident and comfortable to engage with protesters to refute any myths and try to find common ground where possible.

Unite resolves to:

• Demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire and support a full arms embargo and banning trade with illgal Israeli settlements and all other trade that aids or assists Israel’s violations of international law.
• If a ceasefire is in place, ensure guarantees that it is permanent, and that adequate support is given for the rebuilding of Palestine.
• Encourage branches and regions to affiliate to Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), support PSC demonstrations – including by sending representatives to speak – and to publicise days of action.
• Work with PSC to engage and inform members and reps in specific sectors and industries, particularly those working in companies that are identified as complicit with war crimes and the crime of genocide, for an effective assessment of, and to ensure full coordination with he campaigns reaffirming Unite’s support of PSC
• Urge members and branches to take part in divestment campaigns targeting local government pension funds and council investments in companies complicit in Israel’s war crimes, to fulfil their moral and legal obligations according to international law.
• Defend all Unite members victimised at work for expressing support for the Palestinian people.
• Oppose and fully condemn the genocide that is being committed by the Israeli state against the Palestinian people and ensure that Unite publicly puts its full force behind the campaigns to stop UK complicity in the genocide and the flouting of international law by the government and companies.
• Reaffirm out opposition to Israeli ethnic cleansing and Israeli apartheid, including campaigns on Palestinain child prisoners and the criminalisation of NGOs in Israel.
• Work with the Palestinian union movemen to support them in their struggle against the Israeli state’s genocide in Gaza and the ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, and to help them rebuild and organise when the time comes.
• Reaffirm our non-engagement with Histradut following their support of the illegal occupation since 1967.
• Support calls for the Palestinian people’s right to return and for their right of self-determination of their own future free from interference from foreign powers or organisations, and to support their right to justice, peace, and equality free from racism, occupation, apartheid and colonisation.
• Implement and resource Unite Policy as decided upon by the lay membership at Unite’s Policy Conference.
• Ensure Unite strengthens its work to build effective solidarity with the Palestinian people – both in the UK and Ireland and at European and global levels.
• Ensure Unite mobilises to assist sectors, in sectoral specific acts of solidarity with Palestinian counterparts and for the union to fully support these and other sectors actions.
• Call for effective and immediate sanctions to be placed on the Israeli economy, including the seizure of Israeli state assets held in the UK.
• Call for a stop to the institutions of the City of London being used as a global money-laundeering hub for the wealthy, and the seizure of UK-held or traded assets, including housing and corporate holdings, of targeted supporters of the Netanyahu regime.
• Call for immunity from third party litigation for those workers and their unions taking direct action against Israeli goods in support of Palestinians and in line with the objectives of this motion.
• Call for provision of full support for all those fleeing the conflict and to receive Palestinian refugees – and all refugees – with compassion and assistance.
• Call for the immediate release of all children and adults unlawfully detained.
• Heed the call from Palestinian trade unions by encouraging and supporting members to refuse to build, handle or transport weapons destined for Israel, as well as making a public statement in support of such embargo.