- Conference
- 2024 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 1 January 2024
- Decision
- Carried
Conference condemns the devastating war between the Israeli government and Hamas and the killing of tens of thousands of civilians, the vast majority of whom are women and children. We condemn the use of sexual violence in war on any side.
Conference calls for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire, full access to vital humanitarian assistance and an end to the blockade.
On 7 October Hamas launched a brutal attack on civilians in southern Israel, killing over 1,200 civilians, injuring 5,400 and kidnapping 240, including Israelis and migrant workers. Conference condemns this heinous attack and fully endorses UNISON’s calls for the safe release of all hostages.
Conference condemns the indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza and ground attacks which have displaced most of the population and damaged or destroyed the majority of homes. Critical infrastructure and essential public services including health, education and water and sanitation have been decimated, resulting in a public health catastrophe.
Over 85 percent of the population of Gaza have been displaced into poorly equipped refugee camps following Israel’s ordering of 1.2 million people to immediately leave their homes in northern Gaza and flee south. It is our firm belief that mass displacement is regarded by international jurisprudence as both a war crime and a crime against humanity.
By mid February over 1.5 million people were crowded into Rafah, more than six times the usual number. The Norwegian Refugee Council described it as a “gigantic refugee camp”. Israeli attacks on Rafah and other areas look likely to be horrific with UN aid chief Martin Griffiths saying “military operations in Rafah could lead to a slaughter”.
Conference notes that in 2018, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Situation of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories had declared Gaza to be “unliveable”. Since October 7, the Israeli government has severely tightened its siege of the Gaza Strip, cutting off supplies of water, food, electricity, fuel, medicine and other necessities to 2.3 million Palestinians. This amounts to collective punishment, considered to be a war crime under the Geneva Convention.
The tight land, sea and air blockade, imposed by the Israeli government in 2005, and successive bombing campaigns have had a devastating impact on the economy and the lives of the people of Gaza, undermining their rights to health, decent work, water and sanitation and freedom of movement.
Gaza’s health system was already on the brink of collapse before 7 October 2023, with severe shortages of essential medical supplies, equipment and specialist provision. Underfunding, the blockade, restrictions on access to Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem and the impact of previous escalations have severely undermined the right to health.
The siege and bombing of Gaza and attack by ground forces has further exacerbated the health crisis, with hundreds of health workers killed and bomb damage, attacks and fuel shortages placing the vast majority of hospitals out of use. Conference condemns these attacks and calls for health facilities, patients, ambulances and health workers to be protected in accordance with international law.
Conference notes the response of UNISON members and branches in providing material and vocal support to the people of Gaza in recent months and urges UNISON branches to continue their support for Medical Aid for Palestine and the Red Cross.
Conference notes that vast areas of Gaza are no longer recognisable, with homes, services and entire neighbourhoods turned to dust. With the level of destruction the people of Gaza will need aid and support for many years to help rebuild basic services and institutions. The rebuilding must be centred on the right to public services and decent work and not a return to the poverty and denial of rights of previous decades.
The horrific violations of international law committed by the Israeli government, Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank must be investigated and prosecuted by the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. Conference calls on the UK government to support the International Criminal Court’s ongoing investigation into the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, request that the crime of apartheid is considered, and respect the independence of the court.
Conference notes the proceedings instituted by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ): ‘The Application of the Convention on the Prevention of and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip’. Conference welcomes South Africa’s request for the ICJ to urgently implement provisional measures including ordering Israel to cease military actions to prevent possible “irreparable harm” while the case is being determined. We express disappointment however, at the UK government’s lack of support for South Africa’s case.
Conference is concerned that the UK government continues to grant licences for the sale of British weapons to the Israeli government. Conference notes the Palestinian trade union call to halt the sale and funding of arms to Israel and related military research. We call on the UK government to take immediate measures to suspend the arms trade with Israel and urge Iran and other states to end the transfer of weapons to Hamas and other armed groups.
Conference reaffirms its longstanding demand for a viable Palestinian state. The UK government must recognise Palestine as a sovereign state and call for the United Nations to recognise Palestine as a full member state as a first step to achieving this. Only an internationally supported, just political solution, in line with successive UN resolutions, which provides for a viable, contiguous Palestinian state, alongside Israel, where both states live side by side within secure and recognised borders, will achieve justice and rights for the people of Palestine and Israel.
Conference recognises that the prospect of a two state solution has been significantly undermined by the continued de facto annexation of the West Bank, particularly under the Netanyahu led government.
Conference is concerned at the further deterioration of the situation in the occupied West Bank, where there has been a significant increase in attacks by settlers and the Israeli military and further restrictions on freedom of movement. Palestinian workers have been particularly affected, with many losing their livelihoods. Conference welcomes UNISON’s support for the MAAN Workers’ Association and Kav LaOved to organise and support Palestinian workers who face extraordinary levels of exploitation in the illegal West Bank settlements.
Conference reiterates its grave concern at the demolition of Palestinian property and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, which contributes to the de facto annexation and colonisation of Palestinian land and is rapidly undermining the prospect of a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel. We call on the UK government to ensure respect for international law by prohibiting trade and other activities with the illegal settlements.
Conference reaffirms its commitment to Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, as an effective and peaceful method to pressure Israel into upholding international law and bringing an end to the occupation. We reject attempts by the government and others to define BDS as inherently antisemitic and welcome the UNISON and Hope not Hate briefing on understanding antisemitism and Islamophobia in the context of Israel and Palestine.
Conference condemns the UK government’s attempt to undermine and restrict Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) and the Right to Boycott and welcomes UNISON’s work to oppose the Economic Activities of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill.
Conference calls on the National Executive Council to:
1) Campaign for an immediate and permanent ceasefire; an end to the siege of Gaza including the full restoration of water, electricity and communications; immediate access to comprehensive humanitarian aid including food, water and medicines; and the safe release of both Israeli hostages, and Palestinians wrongfully held in Israeli prisons, including under administrative detention;
2) Call on the UK government to take measures to uphold international law including suspending the arms trade with Israel, banning trade with the illegal settlements and supporting the prosecution of violations of international law by the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice;
3) Call on the UK government to recognise Palestine as a sovereign, independent state, put pressure on the UN to recognise Palestine as a full member state and implement credible measures and call for renewed talks to facilitate an internationally supported, just political solution, in line with successive UN resolutions, which provides for a viable, contiguous Palestinian state, alongside Israel;
4) Work with Labour Link to secure a commitment from the next Labour government to recognise Palestine as an independent state;
5) Encourage branches to support the work of Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Red Cross to support the right to health and make a further donation to Medical Aid for Palestinians;
6) Continue to oppose the UK government’s Economic Activities of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill and other attempts to restrict BDS, and continue to use targeted BDS to apply pressure to the Israeli government to end the occupation, respect the rights of Palestinians and bring about peace, including promoting UNISON’s campaign to divest from Local Government Pension Schemes to branches and regions;
7) Continue providing practical solidarity in support of the rights to decent work and quality public services, including through work with trade unions and Palestinian and Israeli human rights and workers organisations;
8) Encourage branches and members organising around Palestine in their workplaces and encourage them to mobilise for national and local peaceful protests;
9) Promote educational initiatives within our branches to raise awareness about the history and complexities of the Palestine-Israel conflict;
10) Continue to support the work of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and encourage regions and branches to affiliate.