The Society of Radiographers has backed a statement from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) calling for the UK government to recognise the state of Palestine and suspend the current trade deal between the UK and Israel.
In the statement - which was released on 24 July - the TUC asked the UK government to use every tool at its disposal to deliver a ceasefire and formally recognise the state of Palestine. It also acknowledged the government’s decision to pause trade talks with Israel, but asked it to go further and suspend the existing trade agreement as well as end arms sales to Israel.
Additionally, the TUC implored the government to implement sanctions against those who are committing war crimes against Palestinians.
The statement came days before a critical conference at the United Nations, which began on Monday (28 July). A number of ministers are set to gather at the conference to pursue a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Israel and the US are boycotting the event.
Serious concern for mass starvation in Gaza
The TUC statement said: “We are deeply concerned by Israel's continued assault on Gaza and the mounting death toll of innocent civilians – including those killed by Israeli forces while seeking food, water, and shelter at Israeli and US backed aid distribution points.
“More than 21 months of strikes on Gaza and its people has caused untold devastation, bloodshed and suffering.
“Now respected international agencies are warning that Israel's blockade of aid is causing mass starvation.”
The TUC added that recognising Palestine as a state is crucial to reaching a two-state solution.
“Recognition is not a symbolic gesture,” the statement continued.
“It is a necessary and practical step towards a viable two-state solution that delivers equal rights and democracy – this is the only credible path to a just and lasting peace, ending decades of occupation, violence, and displacement.
“Israel's continued expansion of illegal settlements and annexation means every single day that passes makes a two-state solution a more distant prospect. That is why we cannot, and must not, wait.”
SoR support for statement
Dean Rogers, the SoR’s director of industrial strategy and member relations, said that the society fully supports the TUC’s statement and called on the international community to help bring an end to the conflict.
“The SoR fully endorses the latest TUC statement on the Gaza and Israel [conflict],” Mr Rogers said. “It is unthinkable that this can be happening in plain sight in 2025. The international community must intervene now.”
To read the latest statement from the TUC, click here.