Unions are once again in dispute over Palestine as they prepare to meet for the annual Trades Union Congress in Manchester. A motion brought by the Transport Salaried Staffs Association calls for the TUC’s general council to organise and support a general boycott of Israeli goods, and an investment boycott of Israel. The issue led to acrimonious scenes when debated last year. Tribune also understands that the TUC’s international department regards the motion as unhelpful, suggesting a compromise – as last year – may be being planned. The issue has been heightened by the Israeli military attack on an aid convoy to Gaza in May, which UK unions widely condemned.
Unison have submitted an amendment calling for condemnation of Histadrut, the Israeli trade union federation, who they say “sought to justify” the Israeli attack – but they also want to narrow the investment boycott to companies who profit from Israel’s illegal occupations.
The GMB, on the other hand, is seeking to restrict the boycott to goods produced in illegal settlements. Two other unions have also submitted amendments.
A Unison activist close to discussions said: “It’s the kind of issue that’s a bit of a shibboleth in Unison”, adding: “There’s a lot of people [in the union movement] unhappy with boycotts – there are problems with boycotts. There’s a big dynamic in the TUC to avoid controversy on everything.”
When a general Israeli boycott came up for debate at last year’s Congress, prolonged disagreement led to the production of a compromise statement to replace it, supporting a boycott of illegal settlement products.
A TUC spokesperson said a composite motion acknowledging the different views was being drafted, adding: “Once it’s clear what will be put to Congress, the general council will then decide what it will recommend in the way of support or opposition.
“TUC departments do not take a position on what should or should not be on the agenda – that is up to unions.”
