NASUWT is horrified by Israel’s ongoing genocidal onslaught on Gaza and the devastating impact on civilians. We join with other trade unions in expressing our concern and demanding immediate action to address this horrific crisis.

More than 21 months of relentless strikes and blockade have caused untold devastation, bloodshed and suffering. Since 2023, over 70,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 20,000 children.

Key workers have been deliberately targeted: more than 166 journalists and media workers, 120 academics, 1,580 health workers and more than 224 humanitarian aid workers have lost their lives.

Alongside this, Israel has destroyed homes, hospitals, schools and universities, while blocking food and humanitarian aid, causing starvation and the spread of preventable disease

At the same time, threats from Israeli Government Ministers, including Netanyahu and supported by Trump, openly advocate the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. In the occupied West Bank, settler and army attacks on Palestinians have escalated significantly, with record levels of home demolitions and plans for tens of thousands of new settlement units driving further annexation.

Britain, as a party to the Genocide Convention, has obligations to prevent and punish genocide. Yet, despite words of condemnation, the UK government continues to export weapons and military technology used by Israel in Gaza, including parts for F-35 fighter jets.

Respected international agencies now warn that Israel’s restrictions on aid are causing mass starvation. Significant numbers of civilians, including children, have been killed by Israeli forces while seeking food, water and shelter at Israeli and US-backed aid distribution points.

We stand in solidarity with children and teachers in both Israel and Palestine and extend our deepest condolences to all who have lost loved ones. We reaffirm that every child has the right to live in safety and security, free from violence and fear.

NASUWT calls on the trade union movement, the UK Government and the international community to use every diplomatic, political and economic tool available to:

• deliver an immediate and permanent ceasefire, with the protection of civilians as the highest priority;

• guarantee the safe, rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, including food, water, electricity, fuel and medical supplies;

• protect aid workers and support the rebuilding of essential infrastructure;

• secure the immediate, unconditional and safe release of all hostages;

• implement international court rulings and immediately recognise the State of Palestine as a contribution to a viable two-state solution based on equal rights and democracy;

• end the illegal occupation and halt Israel’s continued expansion of settlements and annexations, which violate international law and undermine prospects for peace;

• immediately end all sales of UK arms and related materials to Israel and cease military collaboration with Israel in line with international law;

• implement a total ban on all trade which aids or assists Israel’s violations of international law, including with Israel’s illegal settlements;

• impose and enforce sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for war crimes and violations of international law;

• repeal the authoritarian proscription of Palestine Action under counter-terrorism laws, and uphold and strengthen the right to peaceful protest.

Recognition of Palestine cannot wait for a future negotiation. It is not a symbolic act but a necessary step toward a credible political peace process. Every day that passes without recognition makes a just solution harder to achieve.

NASUWT deplores the rise in antisemitism, anti-Muslim racism and all forms of hate and division during this crisis. We stand with working people, their families and communities everywhere and reject all attempts to sow division.

We remain committed to working with Education International, the TUC, ICTU, STUC, TUCC and other civil society and humanitarian organisations to press for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, grounded in international law, equality, democracy and respect for human and labour rights.