‘Horror that cannot be expressed’

Unite policy conference heard a wide-ranging debate on the genocide in Palestine and how best the union can stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The debate began with an Executive Statement moved by Unite Executive Council (EC) member Megan de Meo of the South East region, followed by a number of composites and motions. These included a composite on building solidarity with Palestine, another on supporting Palestinian youth, a motion on making demands of the UK government, and a composite on a ‘people’s arms embargo’, among others.

Unite EC member Megan de Meo outlined the Executive Statement, where she called the genocide in Palestine “an affront to humanity” and a “horror that cannot be expressed in words”.

She acknowledged that the statement – which calls for both support of workers who choose to take part in Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) or other actions in their workplaces, as well as those who don’t or can’t for fear of losing their jobs – won’t be “viewed as perfect” by everyone.

“But that imperfection will be for different reasons, for different people,” she said.

“But,” she added, “our union is remarkable – it is the collective voice of 1.1m people. We are a force for workers, a force for change and a force for justice across every sector of our economy.

“But our union is not without its challenges and complications,” she went on to say, highlighting the “tensions that exist in the depth and breadth of our union”.

She added that as a union, “we can overcome these tensions and bring our union together”.

Megan emphasised that the union condemns unequivocally the actions of the Israeli government both in Gaza and the West Bank, noting that Unite’s general secretary has and will continue to meet the Palestinian ambassador regularly to support him in pushing the government to recognise a Palestinian state.

Megan went on to condemn the harassment some members in aerospace have faced from protestors, noting that the union “always stands with our members — whenever they wish to take action, whether on pay or Palestine”.

Unite delegate Peter Bond, who was the first to move a composite after Megan, gave thanks to the EC for its statement, as he referenced conflict over the issue within the union in previous years.

 “We can all move on now – we’re trade unionists together, we compromise,” he said. “That’s what we do.”

Peter highlighted the atrocities carried out by the Israel government, and its particular impact on women and girls, young people, BAEM and LGBT+ people.

He did personally believe the EC statement could be stronger, but he nonetheless called for support of it.

Unite delegate Nicodemus Leo moved a composite on Gaza, giving a thoughtful intervention on BDS. He highlighted that membership money was going to international trips, to offer support, solidarity and learn from other trade unions’ struggles. He highlighted a solidarity trip to Palestine in 2017 and praised the union’s international work.

Reflecting on this work in the context of the genocide in Palestine and the executive statement, he said, “What is our solidarity worth, if we have to ask for permission to interrupt the genocide? There needs to be a red line – whenever there is a war crime happening, or a genocide happening, we’ll take all action, regardless if it puts jobs at risk.”

Among the most moving speeches in the debate was from Unite delegate Mohammed Ajaz, for whom the horrors of the genocide in Gaza are all-too real. In 2023, Mohammed lost 13 members of his family – his mother, father, several siblings, nieces and nephews. These included his sister-in-law who was eight months pregnant with her first child and several young children, including a baby.

“Three generations gone overnight, in an instant,” he told conference. “They had names, they had dreams, they had lives, they had hopes. They had basic human rights – or maybe not, after what we have seen and now know from the facts, which are very clear and apparent.

“They were not collateral damage – they were murdered and butchered in a targeted attack,” he added. “They were obliterated beyond recognition. In fact, our younger sister could only be identified by the ring on her finger.”

Mohammed called on conference to support all motions on Palestine, as he thanked members and Unite for the support it has offered thus far.

Unite delegate Rachel Eborall seconded a motion, as she gave a poignant speech on the need for action.

“We need to ask ourselves, ‘Have we done everything we can to stop the genocide?’ As trade unionists, we know this isn’t just about what we’ve done as individuals, but what we do collectively.”

Unite delegate Aminah Iqbal moved a motion on supporting Palestinian youth, calling on conference to stand with the people of Palestine and the workers who support them.

Unite delegate Jim Kelly moved a motion on reaffirming solidarity with the people of Palestine, calling on conference to ramp up the support given.

Unite delegate Paul Naylor also moved a motion calling for more action and support.

Unite delegate Raymond Morrell, who works in the aerospace industry, explained the BDS movement, how it has been used successfully in the past such as against the South African apartheid regime, and how Unite members have and are currently taking BDS actions in their workplaces.

After the motions and composites were heard, the chair opened up conference to debate, with a number of interventions from delegates.

Many highlighted their support for the Executive Statement, with others supporting with reservations. One delegate disagreed with the motions in their entirety.

Unite delegate Emma Shaw gave a thoughtful intervention on the importance of unity, and the complexities of using BDS in workplaces.

“Power comes in being organised and standing together,” she said. “But that only works if we take everyone with us. We can’t make decisions about our members without involving them. We’re not going to stop what’s happening in Gaza if we don’t act together as a union.”

Unite delegate Kyle Robinson of Wales said he was uncompromising in his support of the Palestinian people, but he added that workers must not be blamed for what’s happening in Gaza.

“Let’s be clear – our members are not responsible for foreign policy. They are not pulling the levers of policy in Westminster. They’re supporting their families. Putting food on the table and paying their union subs like all of us here. Let’s stand on the right side of this -stand for peace, for justice, but also stand with our members.”

Many delegates called on Unite to offer more support to members who want to take action in and out of their workplaces, whether through BDS actions or taking part in marches.

In her right of reply, Unite EC member Megan de Meo assured conference that the EC will provide extra support for BDS campaigns, but likewise emphasised that it will stand by members whatever they decide.

Unite delegate Taj Salam summed up the conference consensus perfectly.

“A lot of work has been done on delivering [the executive statement],” he said. “I thank the EC for coming together on this issue. We must not forget that we also have to thank the people who made this possible – the delegates, the members who speak on this issue every single day, and also thank our general secretary for being on the side of the Palestinian people.”

By Hajera Blagg

Photos by Mark Thomas