In a first, British trade unions commit to challenging Israeli ‘apartheid’
JVL Introduction
In a world in which the illegal behaviour of the Israeli government and its beleaguered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being encouraged by President Trump, it was refreshing for the TUC to express its outright opposition to recent developments.
At its mid-September Congress, the TUC reaffirmed its solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinian people for the right to self-determination, and condemned the occupation and the expansionist policies of the Israeli government.
It expressed outright opposition to any annexationist ambitions, demanded a cessation of the blockade of Gaza, gave support for the right of Palestinian refugees to return, and called on other trade unions in Europe and internationally to campaign against annexation and apartheid.
Bernard Regan of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign reports on Mondoweiss.
This article was originally published by Mondoweiss on Wed 7 Oct 2020. Read the original here.
In a first, British trade unions commit to challenging Israeli ‘apartheid’
A British Trade Union Congress motion urging members “to join the international campaign to stop annexation and end apartheid” could encourage unions worldwide to play a major role in the international Palestine solidarity movement as they did against Apartheid in South Africa.
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Great news. Now this needs to be taken to the Labour Party at large.
excellent news. Starmer, take heed. stop pandering to the zionists and make Labour a voice for Palestine
Not before time.
Nelson Mandela, when ‘ asked are you happy apartheid is over’ said apartheid isn’t over until the Palestinian people are free. Now it’s time for Kier Starmer to speak out in support of the Palestinians.
I agree but will the present Shadow Cabinet dare . Its doubtful is it not.
This puts the Labour Party, of which I am member, to shame.
Terence: Sadly unlikely with Starmer at the helm! ☹️☹️
So glad to hear about the TUC support for the Palestinian people. I do hope this will counteract the notion spread by the media and some LMPs that opposing the Netanyahu government goes hand in hand with antisemitism as the approved TUC motion states that: “At the same time those who support the Palestinians understand that there is no contradiction between militant opposition to antisemitism whilst maintaining a position of intransigent support for the rights of the oppressed Palestinians.”
This is a step forward, but I think the terrain of struggle has moved – and this should have been apparent to the TUC, as the struggle in the LP has been going on for over 5 years. What the Israeli regime is really scared of is the growth of BDS and this is not mentioned in the article, except in a reference to South Africa. The latest offensive on this is Gavin Williamson’s attempt to blackmail universities into adopting the IHRA definition. This will put BDS campaigns in Universities into jeopardy and is a direct attack on academics and student organisations who speak out in support of Palestine. Opposition to Williamson’s diktat needs to be organised immediately.
I note that the IHRA has just published a “Working definition of antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination”. It’s very long-winded and contains a get-out clause that seems to allow forcibly moving Roma individuals and communities, providing it is “legal”, presumably because so many European governments do this. Interesting to see how the definition works when the words “Roma” or “Gypsy” are replaced with “Jew(s)”.
https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/news-archive/ihras-34-member-countries-adopt-working-definition-antigypsyismanti-roma
Our government will do nothing so it’s up to the rest of us somehow. The TUC has the weight to make a difference, thank you.
Whilst some commenters are gloomy about the possible effects of the TUC resolution on the LP, and maybe they are correct in the shorter term, I am rather more optimistic. To my knowledge, only Sky News has reported it, but Unite the Union has since taken financial action against the Party: https://unitetheunion.org/news-events/news/2020/october/unite-cuts-labour-affiliation-in-move-to-nurture-emerging-talent/ A figure of £1 million has been mentioned.
Philip mentions Gavin Williamson’s disgraceful attempt to force Universities to adopt the IHRA “definition”, and whilst certainly of relevance and some concern, there are a number of ways ahead for the BDS/ Pro-Palestine movement. Indeed I can forsee the possibility of some more interesting legal battles.
Yes, I am an optimist, but I remember being part of the anti-apartheid movement in the 1960’s, taking two attempts to get the Students Union at Birmingham Uni to boycott S. African goods. This was while sharing accommodation with Knox Matthews, whose father had spent time incarcerated with Nelson Mandela. It was also several years before the then Labour Party passed the first (imperfect) Race Relations Act.
Sometimes we just have to dig in for the (very) long haul, but it will be worth it!!
Well spotted, PW. I take it that this is designed to push governments such as the Romanian, Hungarian, Polish, and especially the British (who don’t need to be pushed) to make sure that their persecutions are legally authorised. As with the current UK Secret Police (commit whatever crimes the relevant bureaucrat suggests or authorizes) Bill, so too with Patel’s current Gypsies are Illegal Bill…