Solidarity with The Palestinian People
AUE stands in Solidarity with the Palestinian people.
We stand in solidarity with Palestinians taking industrial action, and workers around the world taking action in support of them.
We are appalled by the structural violence against Palestinians by the Israeli government’s apartheid regime and the horrific assaults on Palestinians by the Israeli military and police.
As a union we believe that structural change and liberation comes through collective action and we are heartened by the international outcry and action against the ongoing and increasing violence against Palestinian people.
Earlier this year the Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem followed the example set by decades of Palestinian intellectual and legal advocacy work in demonstrating that there is no separation between the Israeli state and its military occupation: the two form a single apartheid system. Human Rights Watch, in turn, published a thorough report accusing Israel of "crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution."
In 2019 AUE moved a motion at congress asking the Trade Union Council to support Palestinian rights to self-determination. In 2020, the TUC passed the motion stating full opposition to the Israeli government’s stated intention to officially annex parts of the West Bank in violation of international law.
The TUC calls for:
• respect for all Palestinian rights, including the right to collective self-determination
and the right to return
• an end to the illegal occupation and a halt to further annexation.
• support for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace that is consistent with
international law and based on a two-state solution, which must promote equality
and respect for human and labour rights.
• We call on the UK government to publicly support the same goals and to recognise
the State of Palestine.
• UK trade policy and business should ensure Palestinian labour and human rights are
protected and respected, and support an end to the occupation.
You can find the details of the motion here: https://congress.tuc.org.uk/motion-75-palestine-supporting-rights-to-self-determination
AUE recognises the many Jewish and Israeli artists and artworkers who have spoken out in support of Palestinians and against the Israeli government’s actions – we share their opposition to the conflation of the Israeli state with Judaism. We want to make it clear that Antisemitic behaviour is abhorrent and the abuse that has been directed towards members of the Jewish community in the past couple of weeks masquerading as Palestinian solidarity is unacceptable. These attacks make the Jewish community less safe, and do absolutely nothing to advance freedom and equality for Palestinians.
From the River to the Sea
Below are some useful links to find more information on the Palestinian struggle for liberation and how you can support.
https://www.map.org.uk / @MedicalAidPal
https://www.againstapartheid.com/
https://londonpalestineaction.tumblr.com / @Pal_action
https://www.palestinecampaign.org / @PSCupdates
https://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/ / @jewishvoiceforpeace
https://naamod.org.uk/ / @naamoduk
https://samidoun.net / https://www.facebook.com/SamidounPrisonerSolidarity
https://artistsforpalestine.org.uk / @Art4PalestineUK
https://bdsmovement.net / @BDSmovement
https://www.pacbi.org / @PACBI
Artists’ Union England is an active union and is constantly campaigning, producing resources and signposting opportunites for its members:
A membership to Artists’ Union England gets you professional support and access to resources. That means you’ll get:
Your membership means help will be there when you need it and we’ll constantly campaign for artist’s rights.
Membership costs £42 annually – equivalent to £3.50 per month
