WORKERS and students across Britain took part in a day of action today to demand that the government suspend all arms sales to Israel.

Trade unionists were joined by campaigners and students outside workplaces, colleges and universities in a 30-minute stoppage to stand in solidarity with Palestine and Lebanon.

The action was organised by the Stop the War Coalition (StWC) Trade Union Network after the TUC voted to support it in its Congress last month.

Leaflets were handed out by some of those taking part, while others held signs reading “Ceasefire now.”

Some groups also raised funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Unison, one of the largest unions to take part in the action, said in a statement: “The last 12 months have had a devastating impact on workers.

“In Gaza 886 health workers, 416 education workers, 302 aid workers and many other public service workers have been killed.

“Unemployment rates in the occupied Palestinian territory have surged to 51 per cent, including 79 per cent in Gaza.

“Palestinian trade unions are calling for an immediate ceasefire, access to humanitarian assistance and for the arms trade with Israel to be suspended.”

A StWC spokesperson told the Star: “It is fantastic to see workers in hospitals, schools, universities, libraries and town halls taking action in hundreds of workplaces for Palestine.

“The backing of Unison and UCU has meant more workers involved
than ever before. But the fact is we need more activity.

“The horrific daily massacres occurring in Gaza and Lebanon necessitate that the trade union movement do all it can to call on the Labour government to stop arming Israel.

“We call on all the unions to back our days of action for Palestine and encourage their members to get active on this issue.”

Earlier, StWC and other organisers of the national protests put out a statement, warning that the repeated failure of the British government and other Western states to apply “meaningful pressure” to secure a ceasefire has “allowed Israel to escalate its criminal actions.”

“The British government must listen to the hundreds of thousands who have repeatedly taken to the streets to call for an end to Israel’s attacks on the Palestinian people,” the statement said.

“It must condemn these latest acts by Israel, immediately halt the sale of weapons being used in this ethnic cleansing and sanction those responsible.”