#CeasefireNOW to #StopGazaGencide.
Yet another huge march saw thousands pour through the streets of London on 16 February as the Israeli state continues its genocidal attack on the Palestinian people.
Unite London & Eastern region and Doctors in Unite on the march
Unite members saying Stop the War
Unite LE524 branch calls on the Unite General Secretary to take action
See below a letter sent from Unite LE524 branch (with 6000 members) to the Unite General Secretary.
To the Unite General Secretary
CC the Unite Executive Council
Unite LE524 branch is writing to you in the face of the unspeakable genocidal onslaught on the Palestinian people. We condemn unconditionally the terrorism of Hamas unleashed on 7 October 2023, but the whole world can see what the Israeli state is currently perpetrating is not an attack on Hamas but a genocidal onslaught on the whole of the Palestinian people.
The brutal disproportionate Israeli strategy has not helped release the Israeli hostages. The only hostages released so far have been during a negotiated time –limited truce negotiated between Hamas and Israel. Only a ceasefire and forcing Israel to seriously negotiate a two-state solution will lead to a lasting, sustainable and a just peace in Palestine.
The International Court of Justice has condemned the actions of the Israeli state and ordered it to stop acts of genocide. International trade union organisations like INdustriall and the International Transport Federation to which Unite is affiliated have done likewise. https://www.industriall-union.org/lobal-unions-call-for-unified-action-following-icj-ruling-on-gaza-genocide-case
Nobody with an ounce of humanity can watch the unspeakable horrors unfolding in Gaza and elsewhere in Palestine without doing their utmost to intervene to stop it. Unite the union must stand for justice, and on the side of the oppressed, not the oppressor. We must fight with all our strength for a ceasefire now, and a just settlement for the Palestinian people with their own state – in line with our agreed policies.
At our recent branch meeting on 5 February, LE524 members told us:
1. That the promise of our union intervening on behalf of the Palestinian people has been their most successful recruiting tool
2. That there have been several instances in the branch of employers seeking to discipline workers for wearing pro-Palestinian emblems – scarves, badges, flags etc
We note:
· It is our belief that the stronger defence we mount of the Palestinian people, the more members Unite will recruit, and:
· It is only by Unite taking the strongest possible stance in defence of Palestine that employers will be cautious about disciplining members for wearing emblems supporting Palestine.
Our branch further notes that:
Despite Unite’s agreed policies in full support of Palestine, at the eight huge national Palestine demonstrations organised in London and other major UK cities by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign
· There has been no national mobilisation of the membership of the second biggest union in the UK to attend
· There has been no national Unite banner, or any other national presence (though there were regional banners).
· There has been no prominent Unite national speaker
We therefore call on our General Secretary and our Executive Committee to ensure:
· A national Unite presence and focus is organised at the next PSC National march and demonstration and all future marches/demonstrations called by PSC (the solidarity organisation Unite is affiliated to) in support of the besieged Palestinian people in Gaza.
· Arrangements are made for a prominent National speaker from Unite to speak at this and all future PSC marches/demonstrations.
· The Unite website and social media platforms advertise prominently the next march and all future PSC mobilisations calling for Unite to urge members to join it.
· That the General Secretary writes to all branches nationally, urging members to join the next National march and that resources are in place to facilitate members wishing to travel to attend PSC marches/demonstrations.
· That Unite’s agreed policy of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against the Israeli state is urgently pursued with our membership
· UNITE to publish (in all the usual ways) how they expect their members to behave during this time – what is and is not acceptable.
· UNITE to re-publicise offers of support to workplace reps (e.g., UNITE’s equality strategy and equality reps handbook, mental health for Reps) and UNITE Rep Helpline.
· UNITE to publish guidelines on what members can share with their organisations’ senior leaders – often the voluntary sector companies that we work for have woeful policies and worse implementation thereof.
· UNITE to re-offer (anonymously if needed) a platform for people to raise the issues that they are experiencing – can UNITE offer some “safe spaces” through their Equalities team…