Category: Palestine

Donate to medical charities leading the emergency response in Gaza

The United Nations has stated that Palestinians in Gaza are now facing a major humanitarian crisis. UNISON is urging branches to donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the Red Cross.

Gaza’s fragile health system was close to collapse long before Israel’s military assault began on 7 October, due to the tight land sea and air blockade on the strip and years of chronic underfunding.

Now, 115 days into the conflict, healthcare has been decimated, with just 14 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals partially functioning and essential medicines and equipment in short supply.

Save the Children estimates that 10 children a day are losing one or both legs, usually due to blast injuries.

Donate to MAP

Donate to the Red Cross

For decades, MAP has been working with communities, hospitals, clinics and healthcare providers in Gaza to coordinate care and medical aid, despite the severe restrictions on access.

MAP has been working against the odds in Gaza to get medical supplies and expertise to where it’s needed most. This has included coordinating international health workers to volunteer their expertise in Gaza’s hospitals, which are suffering from a severe shortage of staff due to the war.

According to the UN, at least 300 healthcare workers have been killed in this period.

The Palestinian Red Crescent and Magen David Adom have been leading the response to the emergency in Gaza and Israel. Red Cross and Red Crescent teams have been facilitating trucks of aid with vital medical supplies, tents and blankets, as well as food, water, milk and nappies for children.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has been working to facilitate the release of hostages in Gaza and provide surgeons to hospitals.

The continued bombardment of Gaza has displaced 1.7 million people, forcing most into overcrowded camps, with extremely limited access to clean water and sanitation. Infectious diseases are increasing as a result, further overwhelming a health system that is attempting to deal with an additional 65,000 injured people, despite the severe shortage of life saving supplies.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has declared the entire population at imminent risk of famine.

UNISON has already donated £10,000 to support the emergency response. But we also need every branch to give what it can to help alleviate this desperate situation.

The people of Palestine and Israel cannot wait. Please give what you can today.

Donate to MAP

Donate to the Red Cross

The article Donate to medical charities leading the emergency response in Gaza first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON condemns the resumption of violence in Gaza and calls for an immediate ceasefire

UNISON condemns the end of the humanitarian pause between the Israeli government and Hamas and the resumption of ground operations and bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli state.

For seven days the artillery and missiles largely fell silent, allowing just a fraction of the humanitarian assistance that is so desperately needed into the strip. Since then, hundreds more Palestinian civilians have been killed and homes destroyed.

Gaza’s healthcare system is only partially functioning, due to bomb damage, the killing of almost 200 health workers, and a shortage of medical supplies, electricity and clean water.

Health workers continue to risk their lives as they attempt to respond to the huge increase of those requiring treatment. The displacement of nearly 80% of the population of Gaza has created a public health crisis, with overcrowding and the lack of sanitation resulting in an increase in outbreaks of communicable diseases.

UNISON calls for an end to the targeting of civilians, refugee camps and critical public services, including healthcare, and calls on the Israeli government and Hamas to respect international law. The union reaffirms the right to public services, including clean water and sanitation.

UNISON condemns the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza and reaffirms its call for a ceasefire and full access to humanitarian assistance. We reiterate our condemnation of the heinous crimes by Hamas on 7 October and call for the immediate and safe release of all hostages.

UNISON also condemns any victimisation and harassment of Jewish and Arab anti-war protestors in Israel.  We condemn the use of sexual violence in war on any side.

UNISON calls for a renewed impetus from world leaders, including the UK government and the Opposition, for an immediate ceasefire, peace and a political solution to the crisis, resulting in an end to the occupation and a contiguous Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. To that end, UNISON call on the British Government to recognise Palestine as an independent state.

Before the latest conflict, Gaza had one of the highest rates of unemployment in the world. Since then, a further 182,000 jobs have been lost, according to estimates from the International Labour Organisation. In the West Bank, at least 152,000 Palestinians have lost their jobs in Israel and the illegal settlements due to the closure of crossings and other restrictions on Palestinian workers. Increased restrictions on freedom of movement have also limited the ability of Palestinians to access work within the West Bank.

UNISON calls for an end to the punitive measures that undermine the Palestinian economy and the right to decent work, including the 17-year blockade of Gaza and restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement in the occupied West Bank.

UNISON continues to encourage branches and members organising around Palestine in their workplaces and encourages them to mobilise for both national and local protests.

The article UNISON condemns the resumption of violence in Gaza and calls for an immediate ceasefire first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON condemns the resumption of violence in Gaza and calls for an immediate ceasefire

UNISON condemns the end of the humanitarian pause between the Israeli government and Hamas and the resumption of ground operations and bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli state.

For seven days the artillery and missiles largely fell silent, allowing just a fraction of the humanitarian assistance that is so desperately needed into the strip. Since then, hundreds more Palestinian civilians have been killed and homes destroyed.

Gaza’s healthcare system is only partially functioning, due to bomb damage, the killing of almost 200 health workers, and a shortage of medical supplies, electricity and clean water.

Health workers continue to risk their lives as they attempt to respond to the huge increase of those requiring treatment. The displacement of nearly 80% of the population of Gaza has created a public health crisis, with overcrowding and the lack of sanitation resulting in an increase in outbreaks of communicable diseases.

UNISON calls for an end to the targeting of civilians, refugee camps and critical public services, including healthcare, and calls on the Israeli government and Hamas to respect international law. The union reaffirms the right to public services, including clean water and sanitation.

UNISON condemns the indiscriminate bombing of Gaza and reaffirms its call for a ceasefire and full access to humanitarian assistance. We reiterate our condemnation of the heinous crimes by Hamas on 7 October and call for the immediate and safe release of all hostages.

UNISON also condemns any victimisation and harassment of Jewish and Arab anti-war protestors in Israel.  We condemn the use of sexual violence in war on any side.

UNISON calls for a renewed impetus from world leaders, including the UK government and the Opposition, for an immediate ceasefire, peace and a political solution to the crisis, resulting in an end to the occupation and a contiguous Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. To that end, UNISON call on the British Government to recognise Palestine as an independent state.

Before the latest conflict, Gaza had one of the highest rates of unemployment in the world. Since then, a further 182,000 jobs have been lost, according to estimates from the International Labour Organisation. In the West Bank, at least 152,000 Palestinians have lost their jobs in Israel and the illegal settlements due to the closure of crossings and other restrictions on Palestinian workers. Increased restrictions on freedom of movement have also limited the ability of Palestinians to access work within the West Bank.

UNISON calls for an end to the punitive measures that undermine the Palestinian economy and the right to decent work, including the 17-year blockade of Gaza and restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement in the occupied West Bank.

UNISON continues to encourage branches and members organising around Palestine in their workplaces and encourages them to mobilise for both national and local protests.

The article UNISON condemns the resumption of violence in Gaza and calls for an immediate ceasefire first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel

UNISON supports the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel to allow the delivery of vital humanitarian assistance. The union condemns the rising death toll of Palestinian civilians – especially among children – caused by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

We express our concern at the collapse of vital public services – particularly healthcare – and reiterate our call for the release of all the hostages being held by Hamas.

UNISON encourages our members and branches to take action calling for a ceasefire, including joining peaceful protests and contacting their members of parliament. UNISON will be making donations to Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Red Cross and encourages branches to do the same.

UNISON is deeply concerned by the dramatic increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents. Anti-racism and the right to treated with dignity and respect, irrespective of race or creed, are fundamental values of our union. All members should be able to feel safe in their places of work and the communities in which they live.

Finally, UNISON calls on the British government and the international community to support a ceasefire leading to renewed talks aimed at achieving a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel, as the only way to secure long-term peace in the Middle East.

Previous statements

The article UNISON calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel

UNISON supports the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel to allow the delivery of vital humanitarian assistance. The union condemns the rising death toll of Palestinian civilians – especially among children – caused by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

We express our concern at the collapse of vital public services – particularly healthcare – and reiterate our call for the release of all the hostages being held by Hamas.

UNISON encourages our members and branches to take action calling for a ceasefire, including joining peaceful protests and contacting their members of parliament. UNISON will be making donations to Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Red Cross and encourages branches to do the same.

UNISON is deeply concerned by the dramatic increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents. Anti-racism and the right to treated with dignity and respect, irrespective of race or creed, are fundamental values of our union. All members should be able to feel safe in their places of work and the communities in which they live.

Finally, UNISON calls on the British government and the international community to support a ceasefire leading to renewed talks aimed at achieving a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel, as the only way to secure long-term peace in the Middle East.

Previous statements

The article UNISON calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel first appeared on the UNISON National site.

NEC hears of ‘terrible things happening to civilians’

Meeting in London yesterday, UNISON’s national executive council (NEC) reiterated the union’s response to the unfolding events in the Middle East.

General secretary Christina McAnea spoke of the “terrible things that are happening to innocent civilians,” noting that the union had put out two statements – the first in conjunction with the international trade union movement – condemning the attacks by Hamas, calling for the release of all hostages, stressing that there must be a ceasefire and that “all sides to abide by international law”.

The statements observed that neither the killings by Hamas nor the collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza will advance the cause of peace, and reiterated UNISON’s policy of the need for a two-state solution.

The meeting agreed to encourage branches and individuals to donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians or the Red Cross, with a donation from the NEC itself of £10,000 to be shared between those two humanitarian organisations.

In her report to the council, Ms McAnea also highlighted “yet another great victory in the courts, in the Supreme Court – about unfair deductions from workers’ pay”.

She went on to say that UNISON is a joint signatory to a letter calling on the government for clarity on which schools are affected by the crumbling concrete crisis.

On equal pay, she stressed that finding evidence of the gender pay gap “can sometimes be quite tricky”, but on Fair Pay for Patient Care, the general secretary noted that the union was “winning cases across the UK” and “organising on the back of this campaign”.

On the industrial action in schools and early years in Scotland, Ms McAnea reported that there had been an improved offer on pay, but in a consultation, this had been met with a “97% rejection on a 57% turnout”.

In the run up to the general election she observed, pay is likely to continue to be a problem – particularly as the Conservative government will want to be seen to be “tough” on unions. Although she observed that such an approach “hasn’t helped them much thus far”.

And she suggested that the NEC put out a message of thanks to “all the emergency workers and first responders who had to deal with all the recent flooding in the UK – “that’s the unseen work of UNISON members”.

Ms McAnea said that UNISON’s Year of Black Workers was drawing to a close, that she had attended a number of great events during the year – particularly citing the second Much More Than You Are event at Newham Hospital – and that it is crucial that the legacy of this year be taken forward.

She also told the council about Labour’s National Policy Forum, where the union won great commitments on workers’ rights and also a pledge to bring back national pay bargaining for school support staff.

The union is also preparing its submission for the Covid Inquiry and, after that, will be working to encourage members to contribute their personal testimonies about the pandemic to Every Story Matters.

UNISON president Libby Nolan called on activists to attend a demonstration outside the Home Office on 4 November, organised by Stand Up to Racism.

She also appealed for council members to go back to their branches and regions and spread the word about her presidential charity for 2023-2024, Swansea Asylum Seekers Support.

It was also reported that Ms Nolan had attended and helped at a community fun day organised by Stand Up To Racism in Llanelli, Wales.

The meeting also:

• discussed how the union is responding to the government’s planned legislation on minimum staffing levels during strikes;

• received an organising update, which included the importance of branches being ballot ready.

• agreed a financial statement;

• discussed elections procedures.

The article NEC hears of ‘terrible things happening to civilians’ first appeared on the UNISON National site.

NEC hears of ‘terrible things happening to civilians’

Meeting in London yesterday, UNISON’s national executive council (NEC) reiterated the union’s response to the unfolding events in the Middle East.

General secretary Christina McAnea spoke of the “terrible things that are happening to innocent civilians,” noting that the union had put out two statements – the first in conjunction with the international trade union movement – condemning the attacks by Hamas, calling for the release of all hostages, stressing that there must be a ceasefire and that “all sides to abide by international law”.

The statements observed that neither the killings by Hamas nor the collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza will advance the cause of peace, and reiterated UNISON’s policy of the need for a two-state solution.

The meeting agreed to encourage branches and individuals to donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians or the Red Cross, with a donation from the NEC itself of £10,000 to be shared between those two humanitarian organisations.

In her report to the council, Ms McAnea also highlighted “yet another great victory in the courts, in the Supreme Court – about unfair deductions from workers’ pay”.

She went on to say that UNISON is a joint signatory to a letter calling on the government for clarity on which schools are affected by the crumbling concrete crisis.

On equal pay, she stressed that finding evidence of the gender pay gap “can sometimes be quite tricky”, but on Fair Pay for Patient Care, the general secretary noted that the union was “winning cases across the UK” and “organising on the back of this campaign”.

On the industrial action in schools and early years in Scotland, Ms McAnea reported that there had been an improved offer on pay, but in a consultation, this had been met with a “97% rejection on a 57% turnout”.

In the run up to the general election she observed, pay is likely to continue to be a problem – particularly as the Conservative government will want to be seen to be “tough” on unions. Although she observed that such an approach “hasn’t helped them much thus far”.

And she suggested that the NEC put out a message of thanks to “all the emergency workers and first responders who had to deal with all the recent flooding in the UK – “that’s the unseen work of UNISON members”.

Ms McAnea said that UNISON’s Year of Black Workers was drawing to a close, that she had attended a number of great events during the year – particularly citing the second Much More Than You Are event at Newham Hospital – and that it is crucial that the legacy of this year be taken forward.

She also told the council about Labour’s National Policy Forum, where the union won great commitments on workers’ rights and also a pledge to bring back national pay bargaining for school support staff.

The union is also preparing its submission for the Covid Inquiry and, after that, will be working to encourage members to contribute their personal testimonies about the pandemic to Every Story Matters.

UNISON president Libby Nolan called on activists to attend a demonstration outside the Home Office on 4 November, organised by Stand Up to Racism.

She also appealed for council members to go back to their branches and regions and spread the word about her presidential charity for 2023-2024, Swansea Asylum Seekers Support.

It was also reported that Ms Nolan had attended and helped at a community fun day organised by Stand Up To Racism in Llanelli, Wales.

The meeting also:

• discussed how the union is responding to the government’s planned legislation on minimum staffing levels during strikes;

• received an organising update, which included the importance of branches being ballot ready.

• agreed a financial statement;

• discussed elections procedures.

The article NEC hears of ‘terrible things happening to civilians’ first appeared on the UNISON National site.

International motions on women’s rights and Palestine passed at NDC

Chaired by Libby Nolan, the third morning of UNISON’s 2023 national delegate conference saw declarations of international solidarity, particularly on women’s rights and Palestine.

The conference session began with a one minute silence to pay respects to Alan Jinkinson, UNISON’s first general secretary who died last year.

Delegates then heard two impassioned speeches from trade union leader Gonul Erden and Rosa Pavanelli (pictured), the general secretary of Public Services International, the global union federation for public sector trade unions.

Ms Erden, only recently released from prison in Turkey, addressed UNISON members over video message: “My main strength in overcoming this difficult period comes from solidarity from comrades like you.”

Rosa Pavanelli’s speech, calling for global solidarity to defeat the rise in “far right populism”, was met with a standing ovation.

Women’s rights

The first motion passed was on ‘defending and improving women’s rights internationally’. Introduced by the national women’s committee, the motion invited powerful speeches from numerous activists. 

Branch secretary of Camden UNISON Liz Wheatley said: “We live in a world where women are treated as second-class citizens, it’s true here, and it’s true around the world.”

Ms Wheatley also called for solidarity with Carla Foster, the mum of three who received a prison sentence this week for ending her pregnancy. Ms Wheatley said: “UNISON has a proud history of defending abortion rights”

Another speaker articulated how intertwined the struggles for labour rights and women’s rights are: “All of these issues are interlinked. If you want to fight sexual harassment at work, you need secure employment. If you want to flee an abusive relationship, you need the money to do it. Economic independence is crucial. All of these things go together.”

The motion calls on the union’s commitment to:

  • continue to work internationally to defend abortion rights;
  • continue to work with the International Committee and the National Women’s Committee to provide solidarity with women who are on the frontline in demanding trade union rights, peace and social justice, specifically in Colombia and Turkey;
  • work with the National Women’s Committee to show solidarity with women in Iran and explore ways to help them fight oppression and discrimination.

Palestine

The second motion passed was on trade union solidarity with Palestine. 

Introducing the motion, a speaker from Belfast referred to the recent Amnesty International report that officially categorises Israel as an apartheid state. 

The motion calls on the national executive council to:

  • encourage distribution of and discussion on the new guide for UNISON activists: ‘Talking about Palestinian rights’;
  • support Amnesty International’s call on the International Criminal Court to consider the crime of apartheid;
  • support branches to campaign for local government pension funds to engage with the companies they invest in and to demand they end their involvement in the occupied Palestinian territory and in the violation of Palestinian human rights;
  • defend the right of public bodies to purchase, procure and invest ethically, including by using BDS in support of Palestinian rights.

The motion was amended to include a commitment to “work with Labour Link to secure a commitment from the next Labour government to recognise Palestine as an independent state”. 

Proposing the amendment, Glenn Williams from the North West region reminded delegates that 72% of the 193 UN member states recognise Palestine as a state.

The article International motions on women’s rights and Palestine passed at NDC first appeared on the UNISON National site.