Tony Slaven moving Composite D – Palestine
“On page 78 of the final agenda for the NALGO National Delegate Conference held in 1981 there is a motion which states “This conference recognises the strikes by Palestine workers on West Bank against military occupation and the resistance by Palestinian workers to land seizure by Israeli military defence.” When the events of October 7th occurred, there was justifiable condemnation of the killing and taking hostage of Israeli citizens. But the reaction to this event by the Israeli government, using the full force of the best armed army, air force and navy in the Middle East, against the civilian population of Gaza, was not justifiable. This union called for a ceasefire very quickly, unlike some people. Including some people in our movement who should have known better. Now, after the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, mostly women and children, a ceasefire is needed urgently.”
“We continue to call for a ceasefire, for the release of all hostages, for the release of thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli jails, often on false charges, rendering them political prisoners and for a real peace process to be initiated that will outlive the politicians of today. A peace process that this country has a responsibility to support and to take all steps to ensure that all parties come to the negotiating table prepared for peace. That means recognising the state of Palestine and refusing to continue supplying arms to Israel until a peace agreement is reached. I hope an incoming Labour Government can be bold and insist on; not just a ceasefire, not just recognising Palestine as a state, not just supporting the rebuilding of Gaza, not just demanding an end to apartheid policies, but in demanding that Israel takes part in peace talks and if they do not – that there will be greater support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. This is a very important part of Scotland’s strategy going forward. This is what our union should demand and what thousands of our members have been demanding week after week after week on the streets of towns and cities the length and breadth of the country. We reject the outrageous slur on our members, and others, who have, in their hundreds of thousands, each week marched in the streets. Not because they are antisemitic but because they are anti-genocide. because they are pro the release of hostages, pro-peace and pro-justice for the Palestinians. We understand that this did not start on 7th October 2023. We have been debating and supporting motions at this conference, on Palestine, for many years and we will continue to do so and continue to protest and march until the Palestinian people can live and work and debate and protest in peace. Let’s send a clear message from UNISON straight to the people of Palestine, from our hearts that we support them.”