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.

Trade unionist Gonul Erden released from prison in Turkey

On 13 March, the trade unionist and longstanding friend of UNISON Gonul Erden, was released from prison in Turkey.

Ms Erden (pictured above, centre) is one of eight leading members of SES, the health and social services union in Turkey, who are charged with terrorism for their trade union work.

UNISON representatives attended the fourth trial date at the heavy penal court in Ankara on 13 March. The hearing focused on two things: Gonul and fellow trade unionist Selma Atabey’s requests for bail, and addressing false accusations that they had attended a terrorist training camp in Iraq.

The state prosecutor claims Ms Erden attended a training camp in Iraq. The state’s case is based on the testimony of an anonymous witness, involved in a plea bargain, who has given evidence against at least 450 others. These testimonies have been proved to be false, including in a number of other court cases.

Ms Erden and Ms Atabey’s defence team used cell phone data to conclusively prove that neither were anywhere near Iraq during the alleged period.

Gonul spoke passionately from the dock, explaining that the entire case against her was due to her being a trade unionist, a woman, Kurdish and a health worker. She asked the judges how they could justify her 18 months in prison when an expert report proving her innocence had been available for eight months.

“There has been an earthquake”, Ms Erden explained. “I am a nurse and should be helping those affected, not held between four walls, watching the devastation on television. It’s my right as a health worker”.

The judge released Ms Erden to house arrest, although Ms Atabey will sadly remain behind bars.

UNISON representatives joined trade unionists from KESK (the Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions) to receive Ms Erden from the high security prison.

Liz Wheatley, chair of UNISON’s international committee, attended the hearing. She said: “Seeing Gonul, Selma and their six comrades stand in the dock and defiantly argue their innocence was inspiring. They are in court for doing what we all do every day – union organising, campaigning for members and for justice.

“It really brought home how we must never take our rights for granted, and how important it is to use our platform to speak up in solidarity with trade unionists being victimised. It was clear that having a delegation of trade unionists from around Europe made a difference, and we will stand with Gonul, Selma and the others until they are free.”

UNISON head of international relations Nick Crook said: “We are delighted that our friend Gonul has been allowed to go home after 18 months in a maximum-security prison for a crime she so obviously could not have committed.

“It’s appalling that she remains under house arrest and Selma has been returned to prison, despite the overwhelming evidence they are innocent.”

UNISON will return to the court on 5 June 2023 for the next hearing.

The article Trade unionist Gonul Erden released from prison in Turkey first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON opposes school demolition in West Bank

UNISON has signed a joint letter opposing the planned demolition of a Palestinian school in the West Bank.

Alongside other education unions including UCU, NEU, EIS and NASUWT, UNISON has urged the Israeli government to call a halt to the demolition of Jubbet ad Dib school, a small primary school southeast of Bethlehem. The school is built on private land, donated by the local community.

This is the second time the school will be demolished. In August 2017, Israeli soldiers demolished the school on the day before the school year was due to start. Since then, the school has repeatedly sought permission from the Israeli authorities to remain there.

On 6 March 2023, the Israeli Central Court rejected a petition filed by Palestinian community groups against the demolition.

The letter from the unions reads: “We urge the Israeli government immediately to call a halt to demolition of Jubbet ad Dib, along with other planned demolitions of schools in the West Bank.

“As education trade unions who are committed to the realisation of rights under the Universal Declaration and the UN convention on the Rights of the Child, and whose members dedicate their professional lives to children and young people’s education, this is a situation that we are profoundly concerned about, that we understand to be completely beyond the law, and that we call upon the Israeli authorities to bring to an immediate end.

“Such violations of Palestinian rights and international law are inextricably linked to the occupation of the Palestinian territories, which Israel must bring to an end.”

A full version of the letter can be read here.

The article UNISON opposes school demolition in West Bank first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Turkey earthquake solidarity appeal

The powerful earthquake that struck southeast Turkey and northwest Syria on 6 February has so far claimed at least 35,000 lives, with thousands still missing and millions displaced.

Communities have been devastated, with buildings turned to dust and public services and critical infrastructure badly affected, hampering rescue efforts. People have been trapped in the rubble for days, while thousands more are left on the streets in freezing temperatures, without food and shelter.

The situation is desperate, but trade unions in Turkey are playing an important role in response to the crisis – and UNISON is now supporting the trade union confederations KESK and DISK in their lifesaving work, with a solidarity appeal.

UNISON’s longstanding partner, the Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions (KESK) has established a national crisis desk and units in earthquake-affected areas, to coordinate its response with other organisations.

KESK has mobilised thousands of members to collect donations and distribute essential aid in the 10 worst affected cities. The union is also collecting data on the needs of the population and assessing the impact of the earthquake on public services.

UNISON’s general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Everyone in UNISON is deeply shocked and saddened by the humanitarian disaster following the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Our practical solidarity is needed now, more than ever, by our trade union partners in Turkey and I’m pleased our international committee has already agreed to donate £5,000 to this important appeal.

“We are urging all our branches to give what they can to help our colleagues in KESK and DISK respond to this unprecedented disaster. I know UNISON activists will respond positively to our call.”

Branches can make donations to:

Bank: Unity Trust Bank Ltd

Account Name: UNISON No1 Suspense Account

Account Number 33015758

Sort Code: 60-83-01

Reference: “QuakeAppeal”

Please make your payment before 31 March 2023. Your support is needed urgently, so the sooner we receive donations, the sooner they will reach our partner unions.

 

 

The article Turkey earthquake solidarity appeal first appeared on the UNISON National site.