Workers and students across Britain united to demand an end to government and corporate complicity in Israel’s genocide today.
The national day of action saw a range of activities including lunchtime rallies, walkouts, and teach-ins about the Palestinian struggle.
The initiative was backed by the TUC after a motion was passed in support of Palestine at this year’s congress.
TUC general secretary Paul Nowa
k said: “Today is about showing solidarity in the workplace with the horrendous situation in Gaza.
“Thousands of Palestinians — mainly women and children — have been killed by Israeli military operations and many more are injured.
“We need an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to the humanitarian crisis and respect for international law.”
A coalition of activists and trade unionists, including members of PCS and Workers for a Free Palestine, shut down two government departments in London which license arms exports to Israel.
Protesters blockaded the Department for Business and Trade, where the export control joint unit processes licence applications.
Carrying banners saying “Genocide Made in Britain” and “Lammy: Stop Arming Israel,” activists also targeted the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, responsible for carrying out evaluations against licensing criteria.
Letting off red, green and black smoke flares, activists also demanded that government commit to arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he should come to Britain following the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
A Workers for a Free Palestine spokesperson said: “This is a people’s arms embargo enforced from below — we refuse to allow our taxes to be used to arm this genocide and we will continue to shut down key government buildings and arms factories until Labour suspends all arms sales to Israel.”
Sisters Uncut also joined the protest, describing as shameful the government paying “lip service” to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women this week while continuing to arm Israeli forces violating women in Gaza.
According to analysis by the UN on verified fatalities over six months, nearly 70 per cent were women and children.
Britain currently has 331 arms licences with Israel, including for parts of lethal F-35 jets.
The government admitted in the High Court last week that it knew there was a “clear risk” that these could be used to violate international humanitarian law, but failed to suspend them as it would “undermine US confidence in the UK and Nato.”
Elsewhere, planned actions included a Unison branch at Bedfordshire University holding a bake sale to raise money for Medical Aid for Palestinians and a lunchtime solidarity rally by health workers at Bradford Royal Infirmary.
Members of Unison, Unite and PCS also joined a rally outside the government hub in Cardiff City Centre.
In London, SOAS students, along with UCU members, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Stop the War (StWC), held a rally defending the right to protest on campus.
Speakers included StWC convener Lindsey German, former South African MP Andrew Feinstein and Haya Adam, one of several students to be suspended by the university.
At the University of Cambridge, students continued occupying its administrative centre Greenwich House and restarted its encampment.
A collective of staff members from several universities were due to host a “Speaking up for Palestine” evening webinar, on academic freedom of speech in higher education.
Activists protested outside weapons firm Thales in Cheadle to demand an end to their role in arming Israel.
A rally was due to take place at St Peter’s Square in Manchester as the Morning Star went to print.
Actions will continue tomorrow on the UN International Day of Solidarity with Palestine.
Independent Leicester South MP Shockat Adam’s private member’s Bill on recognising the Palestinian state is due to be heard in Parliament.
To mark the day, Sheffield City Council has agreed to fly the Palestinian flag.
Jonny Feldman, member of Sheffield Jews Against Israeli Apartheid, said: “This is just a small step from the council.
“There is more to do to make Sheffield an Israeli apartheid-free zone.
“The most important of these is for the council to advise all businesses to cease trading with Israeli companies.
“By doing so, in the wake of the arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Gallant, businesses could be aiding and abetting war crimes.”
Source: Morning Star
