Full Breakdown
UK Trades Union Congress Endorses Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Motion
By Drooid · · How we work
TUC Endorses BDS Motion
The Trades Union Congress (TUC), representing more than 5.3 million workers, voted unanimously to back a motion that condemns “the catastrophic destruction of Gaza” and Israeli settler violence “supported by the IDF.” Adopted at the TUC’s annual conference in Brighton, the motion calls for campaigns to end military cooperation and arms deals with Israel, urges the government to impose wide-ranging sanctions, and supports trade-union-led actions in solidarity with Palestine. It marks the first time the TUC has formally endorsed the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Background and Context
The motion follows a recent policy shift by the UK government: foreign secretary Ed Miliband announced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements, describing settler actions as “ethnic cleansing.” While Miliband said he “wholeheartedly” opposes BDS and will maintain trade with Israel that complies with international law, trade-union leaders argue the government’s steps are insufficient. The motion was submitted by Zita Holborne of Artists’ Union England and received praise from BDS co-founder Omar Barghouti and Palestine Solidarity Campaign deputy director Peter Leary, who called the vote a “tipping point.”
Official Statements & Responses
Ed Miliband, speaking in Parliament, denounced settler violence and affirmed the ban on settlement products, but reiterated opposition to the BDS campaign and pledged continued trade with Israel that respects international law. The TUC’s motion itself frames Israel’s actions as “genocidal war on Gaza” and calls on unions to use their collective power to pressure the government for stronger measures. Representatives of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign described the vote as a decisive moment for labour-movement solidarity with Palestinians.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s essential for the trade union movement to answer the call from the BDS movement, to challenge all complicity and to use our collective powers, to stand shoulder to shoulder with Palestinians to Free Palestine,” — Zita Holborne, of Artists’ Union England
- “This mass movement of solidarity with the people of Palestine, led by Palestine Solidarity Campaign with many trade unions affiliated to it, is the reason why your government was compelled to adopt minor measures in the right direction to end its complicity,” — Omar Barghouti, BDS co-founder