Union Statements and Policies on Palestine
This page catalogues the public statements, policies, and solidarity actions taken by various UK trade unions regarding the situation in Palestine.
Please check with your specific unions for updated policies.
Unions 1-10
1. UNISON
Policy/Statements: UNISON has repeatedly demanded an immediate and permanent ceasefire, humanitarian access, and release of hostages. Recent statements condemn continuing assaults, support recognition of the State of Palestine, and highlight the killing of journalists in Gaza. Focus is on campaigning, humanitarian assistance, and political pressure, not instructing industrial action.
Sources: Jan 2025 Statement | Apr 2025 NEC Statement | July 2025 Statement | Recognition of Palestine | Killing of Journalists | Activist Briefing
2. Unite the Union
Policy/Statements: Unite’s Policy Conference (July 2025) passed an Executive Council statement committing the union to support worker-led campaigns to boycott Israeli goods/services and to support members who refuse to handle weapons bound for Israel. It also backs divestment and a full arms embargo. This builds on Unite’s November 2023 call for an immediate ceasefire.
Sources: EC Statement PDF | Nov 2023 Ceasefire Call | News Report on Vote
3. National Education Union (NEU)
Policy/Statements: From October 2023 onward, the NEU called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, protection of civilians, release of hostages, and restoration of humanitarian aid, stressing the impact on education and children. The union condemns attacks on schools and highlights international law obligations. Messaging emphasizes campaigning and safeguarding.
Sources: Initial Statement | Follow-up Statement | Press Releases | Ceasefire Call | Attack on Schools
4. GMB
Policy/Statements: GMB’s Central Executive Committee issued a policy statement (Congress 2024) calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and compliance with international law. In November 2024, GMB wrote to the Foreign Secretary urging an immediate ceasefire, an end to UK arms exports to Israel, sanctions on officials, and a ban on trade with illegal settlements.
Sources: CEC Statement | CEC Statement PDF | Letter to Foreign Sec | Letter PDF
5. Usdaw
Policy/Statements: In July 2025, Usdaw reported signing the TULO joint statement calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, recognition of the State of Palestine, an end to UK arms exports to Israel, sanctions on officials, and a ban on trade with illegal settlements. Emphasis is on political/diplomatic steps.
Sources: Statement on Palestine
6. NASUWT
Policy/Statements: NASUWT highlighted and hosted the TUC General Council statement (October 2023) calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, condemning collective punishment and urging adherence to international law. Subsequent materials reference international solidarity and humanitarian impacts on education.
Sources: TUC Statement | Annual Report 2023
7. PCS
Policy/Statements: PCS condemned attacks on civilians and called for an immediate ceasefire in October and November 2023. The NEC explicitly called on members to support PSC-organised national demonstrations and promoted a workplace day-of-action. The union continues to reaffirm solidarity.
Sources: Oct 2023 Statement | Nov 2023 Ceasefire Call | Protest Vigil | Protest Rights Blog
8. CWU
Policy/Statements: The CWU has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to UK arms sales to Israel. The union has encouraged members to join national demonstrations and engage in humanitarian appeals. Communications emphasise members’ rights to protest and political campaigning.
Sources: Updated Statement | Solidarity LTB | Humanitarian Appeal LTB
9. Prospect
Policy/Statements: Prospect’s NEC issued a statement in November 2023 and updated its position in June 2025, noting famine risks, supporting sanctions on those backing illegal settlements, and calling for humanitarian access. In July 2025, it welcomed a Gaza peace plan.
Sources: Nov 2023 Statement | June 2025 Statement | July 2025 Peace Plan
10. UCU
Policy/Statements: UCU set out its position in October 2023 and has since supported campus Palestine protests and student occupations (May 2024) and condemned authoritarian attacks on the Palestine movement (July 2025). Communications defend members’ and students’ rights to protest and free expression.
Sources: Oct 2023 Statement | Support for Protests | Ceasefire Now | July 2025 Statement
Unions 11-20
11. RMT
Policy/Statements: RMT issued multiple circulars (Oct-Dec 2023) calling for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the siege of Gaza, and urged members to join national marches. The union backed PSC’s Workplace Day of Action, encouraging lunchtime protests and petitions.
Sources: Oct 2023 Circular | Nov 2023 Circular | Dec 2023 March | Workplace Day | May 2025 Circular | July 2025 Action
12. EIS
Policy/Statements: EIS’s April 2024 statement condemned attacks on civilians, backed UN calls for a ceasefire, and reiterated opposition to collective punishment. The union maintains long-standing policy supporting boycotts, campaigning to stop arms trading with Israel, and has promoted teaching resources on the conflict.
Sources: April 2024 Statement | Historic Resolutions | Gaza Ceasefire Rally | Equality Resources
13. CSP
Policy/Statements: The CSP has focused on humanitarian and professional solidarity: coordinating via World Physiotherapy, signposting WHO-led channels for assistance, and supporting calls to protect health workers and civilians.
Sources: Campaign Page | Jan 2024 Update
14. Equity
Policy/Statements: Equity called for a ceasefire in Gaza in November 2023, emphasising members’ rights to free expression and offering support regarding blacklisting/censorship. In late 2024, Equity affiliated to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Sources: Ceasefire Call | Initial Statement | PSC Affiliation | FOI on Funding Risk
15. Community
Policy/Statements: Community reported in autumn 2024 that its delegates stood in absolute solidarity with the families of hostages and called for their unconditional release, while also calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.
Sources: Conference Season Report
16. NAHT
Policy/Statements: NAHT published member guidance on the conflict focused on safeguarding and support for school communities. At Annual Conference 2025, it carried a motion expressing solidarity with Palestinian educators and supporting efforts to rebuild Gaza’s education system.
Sources: Safeguarding Guidance | 2025 Conference Motions
17. POA
Policy/Statements: POA’s political news updates in late 2023 referenced Westminster business covering the humanitarian situation in Gaza and related debates.
Sources: Nov 2023 Political News | News Room
18. Royal College of Midwives (RCM)
Policy/Statements: RCM’s November 2023 statement highlighted the grave humanitarian situation and support for midwifery organisations in Palestine and Israel. A June 2025 position statement on the targeting of healthcare facilities explicitly cited Gaza.
Sources: Nov 2023 Statement | June 2025 Position Statement | All Position Statements
19. Musicians’ Union (MU)
Policy/Statements: The MU reiterated calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire (April 2025). Following its July 2025 Delegate Conference, it issued a statement condemning the genocide against the Palestinian people, with commitments around free speech and divestment.
Sources: April 2025 Ceasefire | Genocide Statement | EC Statement
20. FBU
Policy/Statements: The FBU executive council issued statements in October and November 2023, condemning attacks on civilians and calling for an immediate ceasefire. In 2024, it published a comprehensive policy statement, ‘The War on Gaza’.
Sources: Oct 2023 Statement | Nov 2023 Ceasefire Call | The War on Gaza PDF
Unions 21-30
21. ASLEF
Policy/Statements: ASLEF issued statements in November 2023 and May 2024 calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and condemning collective punishment. The union has urged members to attend national marches and affiliated to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Sources: Nov 2023 Ceasefire Call | 2024 Conference Motion | PSC Affiliation
22. BFAWU
Policy/Statements: BFAWU has a long-standing policy of solidarity with Palestine. In November 2023, the union condemned Israeli attacks on civilians and called for an immediate ceasefire, backing PSC demonstrations. Materials regularly highlight solidarity, boycott campaigns, and fundraising.
Sources: Palestine Statement | Conference 2023 Resolutions | Solidarity News
23. TSSA
Policy/Statements: TSSA’s NEC in October 2023 called for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access, and release of hostages. At Conference 2024, delegates carried a resolution reaffirming affiliation to PSC and committing to campaigning for recognition of Palestine.
Sources: Oct 2023 Ceasefire Call | 2024 Conference Motion
24. FDA
Policy/Statements: FDA’s statements and annual reports from late 2023 referenced the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supported the TUC’s call for an immediate ceasefire. Campaigning emphasises international law and humanitarian protection.
Sources: TUC Ceasefire Backing
25. Community and Youth Workers’ Union (Unite section)
Policy/Statements: This section of Unite endorsed the EC statement (July 2025) supporting worker-led campaigns against Israeli goods/services and members refusing to handle weapons bound for Israel. It shares Unite’s broader Palestine policy.
Sources: Unite EC Statement PDF
26. NAPO
Policy/Statements: NAPO issued a statement in November 2023 condemning indiscriminate attacks on civilians, calling for an immediate ceasefire and supporting humanitarian access. The union has shared updates linking to PSC campaigns and urged members to lobby MPs.
Sources: Nov 2023 Statement | MP Lobby Call
27. NUJ
Policy/Statements: The NUJ has condemned killings of journalists in Gaza and called for international accountability. Conference 2024 motions and Executive Council statements called for an immediate ceasefire and stronger action to protect press freedom.
Sources: Killing of Journalists | IFJ Day of Action | 2024 Conference Motion
28. BECTU (part of Prospect)
Policy/Statements: As part of Prospect, BECTU has echoed calls for a ceasefire and accountability under international law. Sector statements highlight solidarity with creative workers and defence of free expression in relation to Palestine.
Sources: Ceasefire Call Support
29. NUCPS (merged into PCS)
Policy/Statements: Now part of PCS, so Palestine policy follows PCS NEC’s ceasefire calls (Oct–Nov 2023) and solidarity with national demonstrations.
Sources: PCS Ceasefire Call
30. BALPA
Policy/Statements: No dedicated BALPA statement on Palestine could be identified. The union’s focus remains on aviation industry issues.
Sources: BALPA News Archive
Unions 31-40
31. Accord
Policy/Statements: No dedicated Accord statement on Palestine could be identified. The union’s communications remain focused on banking and finance sector issues.
Sources: Accord News
32. Advance
Policy/Statements: Advance has not published any policy statements on Palestine or Gaza. Its focus is primarily industrial relations within Santander and finance.
Sources: Advance Latest News
33. AEP
Policy/Statements: AEP has expressed solidarity with children and educators affected by war in Gaza via joint statements. Conference 2024 carried a motion calling for a ceasefire and condemning attacks on education, highlighting trauma and safeguarding concerns.
Sources: AEP Statement on Gaza | 2024 Conference Motion
34. Artists’ Union England
Policy/Statements: The union has issued solidarity statements backing PSC calls for ceasefire and urging cultural boycotts. Communications highlight members’ rights to free expression and opposition to cultural censorship around Palestine.
Sources: Palestine Solidarity | Ceasefire Now Statement
35. Community Union – Voice Community section
Policy/Statements: As part of Community, Voice Community has shared Community’s positions including support for an immediate ceasefire and solidarity with affected families. Its website does not carry separate Palestine content.
Sources: Community TU News
36. College of Podiatry (now Royal College of Podiatry)
Policy/Statements: The College has not published dedicated statements on Palestine; communications remain focused on podiatry profession and health sector policy.
Sources: RCPod News
37. Community Union – BFAWU section
Policy/Statements: As part of BFAWU, this section follows BFAWU’s strong solidarity stance on Palestine, including support for boycotts, ceasefire demands and fundraising.
Sources: BFAWU News
38. Community Union – Equity section
Policy/Statements: As part of Equity, this section reflects Equity’s positions: calls for ceasefire, free expression protections, and affiliation to PSC.
Sources: Equity News
39. CIEH staff union section
Policy/Statements: No Palestine-related policy or statement was identified; news focuses on public health and environmental health issues.
Sources: CIEH News
40. Community Union – smaller amalgamated branches
Policy/Statements: These branches follow Community’s line: support for ceasefire, solidarity with hostages’ families, and calls for humanitarian protection in Gaza and Lebanon.
Sources: Community TU News
Unions 41-47
41. Society of Radiographers (SoR)
Policy/Statements: In November 2023, the SoR joined other health unions in condemning attacks on health workers and facilities, calling for humanitarian corridors and adherence to international humanitarian law. Statements emphasise professional solidarity.
Sources: Nov 2023 Statement | SoR News Archive
42. College of Paramedics
Policy/Statements: The College of Paramedics has not published Palestine-specific policy statements; its news and position papers focus on UK health and professional issues.
Sources: News Archive
43. Prison Governors Association (PGA)
Policy/Statements: No public statements on Palestine could be identified; communications remain focused on UK prisons policy.
Sources: PGA News
44. Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB)
Policy/Statements: WGGB issued a November 2023 statement condemning attacks on civilians and cultural institutions in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire, and urging protection of artistic freedom. Subsequent communications referenced solidarity with Palestinian writers.
Sources: Nov 2023 Statement | WGGB News
45. Chartered Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (now RCPod)
Policy/Statements: No separate Palestine-related statements found; policy positions are now issued under the Royal College of Podiatry banner.
Sources: RCPod News
46. TGWU (historic, now part of Unite)
Policy/Statements: TGWU merged into Unite in 2007. Palestine policy is covered by Unite’s EC statement (July 2025) supporting worker-led campaigns against Israeli goods/services and support for members refusing to handle weapons.
Sources: Unite Ceasefire Call | Unite EC Statement PDF
47. UCATT (now part of Unite)
Policy/Statements: UCATT merged into Unite in 2017. Palestine policy follows Unite’s EC statement (July 2025), which includes commitments to support worker-led boycott campaigns and divestment activity.
Sources: Unite EC Statement PDF