The rights of Palestinian people have always been an
international priority for UNISON. Our union has consistently
called for a two-state solution, with a viable Palestinian
state alongside Israel, in line with decades of UN resolutions
and international law on the issue.
So it was with extreme concern we noted the launch of President
Trump’s so called ‘Deal of the Century’ at the end of January;
an unashamed attempt to normalise a brutal occupation which has
denied the Palestinian people their freedom, justice and rights
for over half a century.
These one-sided proposals – drawn up by President Trump’s
son-in-law, Jared Kushner – completely defy the international
consensus on Israel and Palestine. They set out plans to deepen
the colonisation of the West Bank, by annexing the illegal
settlements, the Jordan Valley and most of East Jerusalem to
Israel, whilst rejecting the right of return for millions on
Palestinian refugees.
Far from being a plan for peace or prosperity, these proposals,
developed without the input of Palestinian leaders, replicate
the demands of the Israeli government, whilst offering only an
extremely limited and fragmented form of Palestinian state,
subject to Israeli security control and a series of subjective
preconditions.
They follow several extremely damaging announcements by the US
government, including declaring Jerusalem the capital of
Israel, closing the Palestinian mission in Washington DC,
ending support for and challenging the status of millions of
Palestinian refugees, and declaring that the settlements are no
longer illegal, all of which are extremely damaging to the
prospects of peace and a viable two state solution.
Last week I wrote to the
Foreign Secretary, , to urge the government
to reject the US government’s ‘Peace to Prosperity’ document.
Unfortunately, and predictably, they have decided side to
support President Trump’s proposals, with Prime Minister
calling them a “positive
step forwards” and describing them as a
“serious proposal” worth “genuine and fair consideration”.
Donald Trump’s plans seeks to entrench a permanent occupation
and destroy any hopes of a viable independent Palestinian state
of any kind. It cannot be considered serious, genuine or fair
by any government or politician that supports peace, justice,
equality and rights.
UNISON stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people in
rejecting these proposals. We call on the UK government and the
international community to reject them too. Palestine will
continue to be an international priority for our union and we
will continue to call for a two-state solution, with a viable
Palestinian state alongside Israel, based on UN resolutions and
international law.
