The Trades Union Congress (TUC), representing over 5.3 million workers in the United Kingdom, passed a motion on September 16, 2026, during its annual conference in Brighton, calling for an end to complicity in Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. This marks the first time the TUC has endorsed the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The motion demands action against what it describes as the 'catastrophic destruction of Gaza' and violence by Israeli settlers, supported by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). It includes campaigning to halt military cooperation and arms deals with Israel, urging the UK government to impose sanctions, and supporting trade union-led initiatives for Palestine.
Zita Holborne from Artists' Union England, which proposed the motion, emphasized the need for the trade union movement to respond to the BDS call and support Palestinians. Omar Barghouti, a co-founder of the BDS movement, welcomed the TUC's decision, stating it reflects a growing solidarity with Palestine but noted that more action is needed to fulfill the UK’s legal obligations regarding complicity in alleged human rights violations.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced a ban on importing goods from Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law, while denouncing settler violence. However, he stated his opposition to the BDS movement, affirming the UK's commitment to maintaining trade with Israel that complies with international law.
Peter Leary, deputy director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, described the TUC's vote as a 'tipping point' and called for continued pressure on the government to end all support for Israel. Al Jazeera has sought comments from the TUC and the UK government but did not receive a response by the time of publication.