The following motion was carried at the branch general meeting 29 April 2024 so is agreed collective policy (unless a more recent motion has superseded it). The text here is subject to approval of the minutes of that meeting and the approved minutes will be the correct version.

This branch notes:

1. Israel’s assault on Gaza by Israel has lasted over 6 months, killing 33,000 Palestinians and devastating Gaza’s built environment.
2. The International Court of Justice has ruled that “acts … committed by Israel in Gaza appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the (Genocide) Convention”.
3. Over 600 lawyers have signed a letter to the government saying arms exports to Israel must end because of a “plausible risk of genocide”.
4. PCS members in the Department for Business and Trade have asked to cease work immediately on export licenses to Israel.

This branch believes:

1. The UK government must immediately stop granting export licences for British arms sales to Israel.
2. Workers who refuse to risk being party to war crimes and genocide must have the full support of the trade union movement.
3. A halt to arms sales is important for ending Western support for Israel’s Gaza war.

This branch resolves to:

• Call on UCU National Executive Committee to issue a statement that members refusing to undertake duties risking complicity in genocide and war crimes will be offered the union’s full legal and industrial support.
• Support action to pressurise the British government to end arms export licences to Israel.
• Participate in, and publicise to all of our members, the May 1^st Workplace Day of Action, by hosting actions that highlight ending arms sales and calling for a ceasefire.