Solidarity with Palestine

The Israeli government continues to press ahead with its gross violations of international law and Palestinian human rights, accelerating the ongoing colonisation of yet more Palestinian land. These include plans to proceed with formal annexation.

Despite the rhetoric from some of our political leaders that the US-UAE has taken annexation off the table, Israel has made clear that its plans are merely on temporary hold. Netanyahu has stated clearly, speaking after the UAE deal, saying that “There is no change to my plan to extend sovereignty, our sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, in full coordination with the United States.”

Meanwhile Israel proceeds with the de facto annexation on the ground. In October 2020 the Israeli government approved 5,400 new settlement units on stolen Palestinian land in the West Bank.

In tandem, Israel has continued to demolish Palestinian homes and buildings, with 389 Palestinian structures in the West Bank razed from March to August 2020, leaving over 400 Palestinians homeless.

Israel continues to subject Gaza to an ever-tightening land, air and sea blockade, making life insufferable for the nearly two million Palestinians, the majority of them refugees from Israel’s ethnic cleansing, trapped in the enclave. Like Palestinian refugees everywhere, they are denied the right to return to the homes from which they, their parents or grandparents were expelled.

This is why Unite is encouraging all members and activists to take part in an upcoming day of action for Palestine on Saturday, November 28. You can find out more about this day of action on its Facebook page here.  

Unite urges regions and activists to get involved by showing support on social media on Saturday (November 28) under the banner of the hashtags #StopAnnexation #EndApartheid #SanctionsNow.

There is also an online rally by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign for the UN day of solidarity with the Palestinian people on Sunday, November 29, at 5pm, which will include speakers from the UK trade movement, Palestine and the US. You can register for the online rally here.  

As the TUC the reality recently affirmed, Israel’s current actions are the next “significant step in the creation of a system of apartheid”.

The UK government must take action by banning trade with illegal Israeli settlements and implementing sanctions, including a two-way arms embargo, until Israel complies with international law.

Public bodies also need to take action to ensure that they are not investing funds or procuring contracts with companies complicit in Israel’s human rights abuses.

By Simon Dubbins, Unite director of international