The British Trade Union Congress (TUC) at its annual conference held in Brighton passed a resolution calling for an end to complicity with Israel's genocidal war in Gaza and the violence of settlers in the occupied West Bank. This resolution is officially considered the TUC's first support for the Palestinian BDS movement.
Emphasis on Solidarity with Palestinians
Zita Holbourne, a representative of the Artists' Union of England who presented the resolution, stated: "It is essential that the trade union movement responds to the call of the BDS movement, challenges all forms of complicity, and uses its collective power to stand alongside Palestinians for the freedom of Palestine."
This unanimous vote has called on the TUC to take actions to address what the resolution describes as the "devastating destruction of Gaza" and the violence of settlers "supported by the Israeli army." Proposed measures include campaigns to end military cooperation and arms deals with Israel and urging the government to impose broad sanctions on Israel.
Pressure on the British Government
Omar Barghouti, one of the founders of the BDS movement, reacted positively to this development, stating: "This great movement of solidarity with the Palestinian people, led by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and many affiliated trade unions, is why your government was forced to take minor actions to end its complicity."
However, Barghouti emphasized that these actions are "far less than the UK's legal obligations to end complicity in genocide, apartheid, and illegal occupation" and stated that more effort is needed to expand the BDS movement.
This resolution exerts further pressure on the British government to adopt a stronger stance against Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Last week, Edward Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary, announced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law.
Miliband condemned "settler terrorists" for what he described as "ethnic cleansing" in some areas of the West Bank. However, he stated that he is "completely" opposed to the BDS movement and emphasized that the UK will continue to "support important and valuable trade" with Israel that complies with international law.
Peter Lary, Deputy Director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, told Al Jazeera that Wednesday's vote is a "turning point." He added: "In contrast to Edward Miliband's efforts to ignore the Palestinian BDS movement, trade unions are paving the way for real change, and we must continue to apply pressure for the government to take effective action and end all military, diplomatic, and economic support for Israel."
