Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “Usdaw signed up to the joint statement by TULO along with all our sister unions affiliated to the Labour Party. We welcome the Prime Minister's announcement on UK Government recognition of the state of Palestine. Recognition of the state of Palestine and support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination is a critical step in support of a two-state solution.”
TULO joint statement: “Labour Unions, the unions affiliated to the Labour Party, wholly condemn the rapidly escalating catastrophe in Gaza. Our members are deeply alarmed by Israel’s continued, horrific assault and bombardment of the territory and the forced displacement of Palestinians. The near-complete blockade on humanitarian aid into Gaza has led to mass starvation, intensified by the killing of over 1,000 Palestinians who were simply seeking food and medicine.
“It is clear that immediate action is desperately needed to end this senseless violence and deliberate starvation. The UK government must immediately recognise the state of Palestine and support the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, as a critical step in support of a two-state solution.
“We call on ministers to do everything in their power to bring about an end to the crisis and resolve all humanitarian issues, release the remaining hostages, and restore the path to peace. This must include advocating in the strongest terms for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and proper and safe access to humanitarian aid, using all levers of power within the UN to force Israel to allow its agencies to let in aid.
“We also urge the government to suspend the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement, and end all military cooperation with Israel immediately, along with licences for arms traded with Israel, in line with international law. We call for wide-ranging sanctions on the Israeli government, similar to those imposed on Russia, including the freezing of bank assets; and sanctions on Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu, who continue to violate international law and for a permanent ban on trade with the illegal settlements.
“Time is rapidly running out. We need the government to show global leadership now and take decisive action to end this catastrophe before it’s too late.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion