TUC votes to act to help end Gaza siege
Previous trade union documents and briefings on policy towards settlements and the occupation:
Boycotting settlement products: British trade unions’ policies
Posted here, the 2012 resolution on Gaza and, 2nd, the 2010 composite resolution on Palestine
TUC Resolution on the blockade of Gaza
Brighton Congress
Resolution 76: Palestine – blockade of Gaza
Passed nem con
September 11, 2012
Congress registers that the blockade of Gaza by the government of Israel is now in its 6th year. On 14 June this year, 50 international charities and United Nations Agencies called for an immediate end to the blockade.
They noted [the] violation of international law, affecting 1.6 million people, over half of whom are children. UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs, Valerie Amos, pointed out that more than 80 per cent of families in Gaza are dependent upon humanitarian aid.
She stated, “This amounts to collective punishment of all those living in Gaza, and is a denial of basic human rights in contravention of international law.”
Congress also registers that calls for an immediate opening have been made by the diplomatic Quartet (UN, EU, Russia and the US). The UK government has also called for an end to the siege.
Congress welcomes the easing of access to Gaza promoted by the Egyptian authorities, following the ousting of the previous government by the popular uprising.
In these conditions, Congress instructs the General Council to organise a delegation to Gaza, in conjunction with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, to determine how the TUC may most effectively contribute to the end of the blockade.
Congress reaffirms its support for an inclusive peace process in the region, and supports efforts to resume all-party negotiations.
Communication Workers’ Union
TUC resolution on Palestine, 2010
Composite 18 Palestine
September 2010
Congress condemns the Israeli blockades of the Palestinian territories, particularly the Gaza strip where there is a severe and ongoing deterioration in the living conditions of those living there.
The actions of the Israeli military, under the orders of their Government, in mounting a deadly assault on activists on the Mavi Marmara and other ships seeking to take humanitarian aid to Gaza, is particularly condemned.
Congress furthermore condemns the Histadrut statement of 31 May which sought to justify the Israeli action and the failure of the Histadrut to condemn settlement construction. Congress endorses the 3 June 2010 statement of the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions, criticising the Histadrut and calling for an immediate end to the military blockade on Gaza and for a full independent inquiry into the attack on the Mavi Marmara.
Congress believes that the effective annexation of massive swathes of land by Israel in defiance of international law, using walls and checkpoints and destroying Palestinian homes in the process, is a deliberate strategy to undermine the viability of the West Bank and thereby the potential for an independent Palestinian state.
Congress calls on the UK Government and the EU to take much stronger political steps to ensure Israel abides by UN resolutions.
Congress instructs the General Council to work closely with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to actively encourage affiliates, employers and pension funds to disinvest from, and boycott the goods of, companies who profit from illegal settlements, the Occupation and the construction of the Wall.
Congress instructs the General Council to bring to Congress a report on the impact of the boycott and investment withdrawal strategy, together with the outcome of the PGFTU/Histadrut discussions recently facilitated by the ITUC and TUC. Congress agrees to join unions around the world for maximum coordination internationally for active solidarity to end the siege of Gaza and for a free Palestine.
Mover: Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association
Seconder: GMB
Supporters: UNISON
Public and Commercial Services Union
Fire Brigades’ Union