ATUC Statement on Israel’s latest airstrikes on Lebanon

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) joins the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Amnesty International in condemning the Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, which have continued even after the Pakistan brokered ceasefire in the Middle East on 8 April.

These strikes, the heaviest since Israel began this attack on Lebanon, have killed over 300 civilians, adding to the total dead in Lebanon of at least 1,739 with almost 6,000 wounded and over 1,000,000 displaced.

Tommy Campbell, ATUC President said: “The carnage we are seeing in Lebanon at the hands of the apartheid state of Israel is horrifying, with civilians and civilian structures bearing the brunt of Israel’s assault. Coming so soon after a ceasefire agreement makes it even more shocking. Once again Israel is being allowed to act with complete impunity while ordinary civilians pay the price.”

Kate Ramsden, ATUC Secretary added: “The latest strikes on Lebanon, in what Israel military refer to as Operation “Eternal Darkness”, continue Israel’s appalling track record of carrying out unlawful attacks – first in Gaza, where its murders of civilians, including children, health workers and journalists continue, despite the ceasefire there, and now in Lebanon.

“Israel’s complete disregard for international law and callous disdain for the lives of civilians including children must be ended and Israel held to account for its flagrant and continued breaches of international humanitarian law”

ATUC calls for the UK government to immediately halt the transfer of any weapons or military support to Israel, as we have done throughout the Gaza genocide. It calls on the Scottish Government to withdraw support for any companies complicit in supporting Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and Palestine and its genocide in Gaza.

10 April 2026

ATUC media statement on the killing of Anas Al Sharif

Aberdeen TUC unequivocally condemns the unlawful killing of Anas Al Sharif and four other journalists by the apartheid Israeli State. 

This is yet another war crime that will hopefully one day see Netanyahu and his fellow war criminals held to account in the International Criminal Court. 

According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), since October 2023, at least 195 innocent journalists and media workers (including 180 Palestinians) have been killed or seriously injured carrying out their professional duties whilst based in Palestine. 

Aberdeen TUC Secretary Kate Ramsden said, “This is a horrific targeted attack on journalists just doing their job. We call upon both our Scottish and UK Governments to condemn these killings and to ensure that there is a thorough investigation by the International Criminal Court into these war crimes committed against journalists and media workers. 

"We believe it is essential that journalists and other media workers are protected from the threats of violence and other crimes. That helps to ensure the protection of freedom of expression for us all."

Standing on the side of humanity - supporting Palestine

#STUC25 Congress backed a total of seven motions which together set out a wide ranging strategy to support Palestine through Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) and other actions and to end the genocide in Gaza.

Congress passionately condemned Israel’s oppression of the Palestinians and the slaughter of so many in Gaza, especially the children. They heard that the number one cause of child deaths across the world is Israel.

Kate Ramsden moved ATUC’s motion which called for the STUC to lobby the Scottish government to end funding to any company and/or organisation involved directly or indirectly connected to supplying any weapons or weapons parts to Israel, as part of a strategy of BDS.

Moving the motion, Kate Ramsden told delegates that we are proud to stand in solidarity with Palestine as we move into 20 months of genocide and see Israeli violence on the West Bank continue to grow.

“Like everyone here we stand in the side of humanity and utterly condemn Israel’s massacres of children, women and men in Gaza, the targeting of health workers, aid workers and journalists, and now the withholding of essential aid, condemning Gazans to death by starvation and from sickness and injury,” said Kate.

She slammed the UK government’s complicity in the genocide, calling on them to end all arms licenses to Israel. And she demanded that the Scottish Government puts its money where its mouth is and does not provide any government funding to businesses involved in supplying arms or military hardware to Israel.

She called on trade unions to do more to promote BDS amongst their members and to campaign for pension fund divestment from companies complicit in Israeli oppression.

“We know from our solidarity with South Africa all those years ago how powerful BDS can be as a peaceful weapon for freedom and justice.

“Let’s all stand on the right side of history,” urged Kate.

Solidarity with Aberdeen SPSC activists – support for the peaceful boycott , divestment and sanctions campaign (BDS)

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) stands in solidarity with the six activists from Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Aberdeen who were arrested and detained following a peaceful protest in Home Bargains on Saturday 15 February.

Following 16 months of genocide in Gaza, which has left more than 62,000 dead including almost 18,000 children, and further Israeli violence in the West Bank, which has killed over 900 Palestinians, protesters took their Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign into Home Bargains in Aberdeen and called on shoppers to boycott Israeli goods, and for Home Bargains to stop stocking them.

ATUC is very concerned about the response by Police Scotland to a peaceful solidarity protest that involved 16 police officers which we understand included at least one armed police officer. We are deeply concerned that this response by Police Scotland caused serious alarm to the public shopping in the area and to the members of the Scottish Palestine solidarity committee exercising their lawful right to peacefully protest in support of the Palestinian people. 

ATUC believes that the right to protest is a fundamental democratic right, enshrined in law, and protected under human rights conventions. Under international law, advocating for and participating in boycott actions against companies complicit in human rights violations is not a crime. 

May Day March and Rally - standing in solidarity with comrades in struggle

Aberdeen Trades Union Council's May Day march and rally had a focus on the terrible situation in Gaza where thousands of innocent civilians, including at least 15,000 children, with many more missing, have been slaughtered by Israeli bombardment.

This took centre stage as Palestine solidarity protesters swelled the numbers on the march, some from the outset, some from their BDS action outside Barclays. A massive Palestinian flag was carried along Union Street, highlighting the support from the trade union movement for Gaza and Palestine, even as we witness the terrible genocide by Israel.

Led by the Guarana Drummers and the ATUC banner, community groups like Friends of St Fittick's Park and many trade unions were also represented, their placards held proud and their banners flying high. Passersby stopped to watch and clap as the colourful procession passed by.

A rally in the Castlegate was chaired by Vice-president Kathleen Kennedy and heard from several trade union speakers as well as from community activists and Palestine protesters. 

Solidarity brings hope amidst the war crimes and genocide in Gaza and West Bank

Husam Zomlot

#STUC24 Tuesday saw an extremely powerful session on Gaza and Palestine. We heard from Husam Zomlot, Palestinian ambassador to the UK and Shaher Saed, General Secretary of the PGFTU.

Husam Zomlot gave the long history of the oppression and occupation of the Palestinians by Israel over many years and the UK’s complicity.

Both railed unbelievingly against the failure of the US, the UK and other western governments to act in support of Gaza despite the daily evidence of slaughter, famine and genocide.

Both described the impact of 193 days of bombardment and the withholding of humanitarian aid by Israel; the murders of over 33,000 civilians - many more missing under the rubble of homes, hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, universities, museums, trade union buildings. The entire infrastructure razed to the ground. The murders of entire families, over 14,000 children, health care workers, aid workers, journalists - all war crimes.

Please attend SPSC event on 4 June and hear about life in Palestine and why we must support BDS

 

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is delighted to sponsor Scottish Palestine Solidarity Aberdeen's event on Saturday 4th June from 11-1pm in our ATUC premises in Adelphi.

We are urging all delegates, family and friends to go along.

The event will consider life in Palestine today, under oppression and occupation, especially in light of Amnesty International's report declaring Israel to be an apartheid state, and the call from civil society and trade unions in Palestine for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) in support of Palestinian freedom and justice.

Tommy Campbell, ATUC delegate and SPSC member said: "We're excited for our first in person event for over two years. We'll have three speakers, discussion and authentic Palestinian food to finish. 

It promises to be a great event. Please come along."

Online and in-person tickets are available. You can register on Eventbrite. Click HERE to book your place.

The event is free to attend, but donations towards the campaign and event running costs are welcome.

Solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters on UN International Day of Solidarity

Today - 29^th November - is the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.  ATUC welcomes the Palestinian flag being flown from the Townhouse today to mark this important date, and sends solidarity to all our Palestinian brothers and sisters.

Messages from Palestine at ATUC anti-racism/ anti-fascism event

On Saturday 27^th November we came together for our annual St Andrew’s Day ‘Anti-racism/ Anti-fascism’ event, this year held online again due to Covid precautions. Unfortunately, our two speakers invited to speak on Palestine were unable to join due to technical problems so we are posting the information they planned to share with us here. 

Jamal Juma: Plant a Tree in Palestine

Jamal Juma, coordinator of the Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign (Stop the Wall), and coordinator of the Land Defense Coalition had planned to join us to speak about the ongoing grassroots Plant a Tree in Palestine campaign.  Today, Palestinians are resisting an escalation of Israel’s land theft, settler violence and relentless destruction of Palestinian agriculture and way of life. The Plant a Tree in Palestine, a joint project of Stop the JNF and Stop the Wall, is a powerful tool of Palestinian resistance and serves three key functions:

• Building Solidarity: Planting trees within affected communities conveys a strong sense of international solidarity, of people not being alone and forgotten, building Palestinian sumud.
• Reclaiming the Land: Farmers being supported to plant trees counters the Israeli drive to detach people from their land.
• Benefiting the Environment: The trees planted are natural to the region, unlike many JNF trees, alien to the land. The trees planted as part of the project benefit the environment and have deep cultural and historic significance.

ATUC are actively supporting the Plant a Tree campaign and are supporting SPSC Aberdeen in awareness-raising and building support for the campaign in the North East. If you would like to find out more, or your branch would like to get involved please email aberdeen@scottishpsc.org.uk.

Come along to SPSC's online event and find out how you can support Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions

 
ATUC is supporting a series of events organised by Scottish Palestine Solidaroty Campaign (SPSC) Aberdeen, focused on Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS). 

We are urging all our delegates, associates, family and friends to get along to the first event on Zoom on Thursday 27th October 2021 from 6.30-8pm. 

You can find out more by clicking HERE And you can register on Eventbrite HERE

The series will explore the divestment campaign against Caterpillar (via HSBC) and Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes, IHRA (Right to BDS), Puma and sport apartheid.

The first event is the re-launch of our divestment campaign against Caterpillar (via HSBC) and Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes.

Weekend of solidarity action with Palestine - please join us

Despite the "ceasefire", Aberdeen Trades Union Council continues to call urgently for solidarity with Palestine. We therefore call on all our delegates, associates, their friends and families in Aberdeen and North East Scotland to come out once again, as they did last week, and stand with Palestine.

Please gather outside the Alhikmah Mosque (on Nelson Street) at 4pm where we will march peacefully together to Marischal Square (outside Marischal College), for a rally at approximately 4.30pm. Please bring signs, flags and banners, observe social distancing and wear a mask.

This will be part of a weekend of events in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

On Saturday May 22nd, from 12noon, SPSC will hold a solidarity stall near Union Square and Aberdeen train station. All are welcome to join and support our engagement with the public.

The Alhikmah Mosque will hold an all day event and exhibition on Sunday May 23rd, with speakers from 2pm - further details on the poster below. 

ATUC Statement in solidarity with Palestinian comrades

Aberdeen Trades Union Council (ATUC) strongly condemns illegal state-sanctioned attempts to forcibly expel Palestinian families from their homes in Sheik Jarrah, to allow them to be occupied by Israeli illegal settlers. 

The actions of the Israeli state demonstrate that the ‘Nakba’ (Catastrophe) of 1948, when 700 000 Palestinians were driven from their homes and became refugees, is still happening today.

The military provocations and violence taking place in Al Aqsa and now Gaza are not isolated events, but are instead just the latest examples of the oppression and aggression faced daily by the Palestinian population living either under a brutal military occupation in Gaza and West
Bank, or as second-class citizens within Israel.

The First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon MSP, the Leader of the Scottish Labour Party
Anas Sarwar MSP, and the Scottish Green Party have all strongly condemned Israel’s violence
and aggression and gross breaches of international law, and ATUC calls on elected officials
across Scotland to do the same.

The lack of action by the UK government in holding Israel to account in any meaningful way is
unacceptable and we call for an immediate halt to UK arms sales to Israel as a first step.

ATUC stands in solidarity with our Palestinian comrades, and we recognise and fully support the
role of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign in compelling Israel to adhere to
international law.

Please get along to the socially distanced demo in Aberdeen's Marischal Square on Sat 15 May and stand with Palestine

Aberdeen Trades Union Council is urging all our delegates, associates, families and friends to gather in Marischal Square at 2pm on Saturday 15th May to protest against Israel's escalating violence against the Palestinian people.

 

Palestinians are calling on us to protest, to demonstrate our solidarity and to take action.Please bring your signs, flags and banners. Please also observe social distancing and wear a mask. 

 

As Palestinians continue to resist Israel's ongoing programme of ethnic cleansing, on Saturday Palestinians will also commemorate 73 years since the Nakba - when almost 1 million Palestinians were expelled from their homes, hundreds of villages were destroyed and hundreds massacred by Zionist militias - the catastrophe that led to the founding of the apartheid state of Israel. 

Join Scottish Palestine Solidarity Aberdeen on Monday 17th May to mark Nakba Day

All delegates and associates of ATUC are invited to join Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) Aberdeen’s event to mark Nakba Day, when Palestinians commemorate the destruction of their homeland which forcibly displaced over 700,000 Palestinian refugees.

Before the event, SPSC is encouraging everyone to watch the film 1948: Creation and Catastrophe, which will be screening online between May 11th and 15th.

Register here (£2 donation) to watch the film online between May 11th and 15th: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/event/film-1948

You are then invited to join the event (via Zoom) on Monday, May 17^th, 7pm to discuss the themes of the film and what the Nakba means in the context of our Palestine solidarity movement.

Email aberdeen@scottishpsc.org.uk for Zoom details.

Fiona Napier of SPSC Aberdeen said, “We are also delighted to be joined by Manal Shqair, based in the Occupied West Bank, and working with Stop the Wall. She will speak on the topic of what the Nakba means for Palestinian youth today, as well as take questions and join the discussion.

“We also hope to be joined by local Palestinians, as well as friends and supporters keen to share perspectives and learn.

“Please join us on May 17^th.”

For more information go to the Facebook event

SPSC wishes to thank Highland Palestine Film Club and the Network of Photographers for Palestine, who have organised the online film screening.

Come long to the SPSC Aberdeen online quiz on Sat 27th Feb at 7pm and donate to the Plant a Tree campaign

Please join Scottish Palestine Solidarity Aberdeen for an online quiz, as part of its Plant a Tree campaign, supported by Aberdeen Trades Union Council, to support Palestinian farmers south west of Bethlehem threatened by illegal Israeli settlement building. 

The quiz will take place online on Saturday 27th February, 7-9pm.

It is open to all and teams of up to 6 or individuals are welcome. You can register by emailing aberdeen@scottishpsc.org.uk

The Plant a Tree campaign is looking to provide funds to enable these farmers to plant native trees. The longer term campaign also plans to build solidarity links between Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland and villages in South West Bethlehem.

Entry is free but donations to the campaign are very welcome (www.spscaberdeen.org/take-action). 

 

There'll be entertainment and top prizes! Please come along and support this important campaign.

Go to the Facebook event for more information.

How international solidarity and boycott can overcome oppression - come along to the Morning Star Our Class our Culture event and hear more

Please join us at the Morning Star “Our class, our culture” event on 12 January at 7pm, on how international solidarity and boycott can overcome oppression. 

The event will involve a number of ATUC stalwarts including ex-President, Sasha Bryden in the chair, and speaker, Tommy Campbell, Unite and Kate Ramsden, UNISON. 

The North East of Scotland has a proud history of international solidarity. Men and women from the North East went to fight fascism in the Spanish Civil War. And Aberdeen was amongst the first UK cities to award the freedom of the city to Nelson Mandela whilst he was still imprisoned on Robben Island.

Come and hear more about the history of solidarity and boycott and about the vital importance of the peaceful boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign in the struggle for freedom, justice and equality for the people of Palestine.

ATUC supports Plant a Tree for Palestine initiative

 At its December delegates meeting, ATUC gave its overwhelming support to the Plant a Tree for Palestine initiative, launched by the Aberdeen branch of Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC).

This new campaign which aims to build local solidarity with and support communities in South West Bethlehem targeted by illegal settlement expansion.SPSC member and ATUC delegate, Fiona Napier presented the campaign and ATUC agreed to donate £500 towards tree planting in Palestine.

More information can be found at the Plant a Tree page of the SPSC Aberdeen website, where you can also donate.

ATUC has a proud tradition of supporting the Palestinian cause and calling for an end to the oppression of the people of Palestine and occupation of their lands.

Fiona told the committee, “Initially this project will focus on tree planting as political resistance via the ‘Plant-a-Tree in Palestine’ initiative, raising money for trees that can then be planted by farmers and communities, contributing to sustainable economic development as well as symbolic resistance against Israeli occupation.”

If enough money can be raised by February 2021, it’s hoped the first planting can take place by March (before the planting season ends). £8 will allow one olive tree or grape vine plant to be purchased and the ground properly prepared.  You can donate here.

ATUC commends Aberdeen City for flying the Palestinian flag on the UN international day of solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Today is UN international day of solidarity with the people of Palestine. 

Aberdeen Trades Union Council sends greetings to the people of Palestine and pledges our continued support for an end to the oppression and occupation of the people of Palestine by the Israeli government.

We commend Aberdeen City Council and the Lord Provost for flying the Palestinian flag today to commemorate the international day of solidarity with the people of Palestine.

This continues Aberdeen City's excellent record of international solidarity, including awarding the freedom of the city to Nelson Mandela when he was still a prisoner on Robben Island. 

As Mandela said, “We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”

ATUC Acting President, Graeme Farquhar said "We fully support the decision of Aberdeen City Council's Lord Provost  to yet again fly the Palestinian flag as part of the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the people of Palestine.

 

"The Aberdeen TUC in line with STUC policy continues in its efforts to secure peace and justice for Palestine in line with United Nations Resolutions aimed at bringing an end to Israel's illegal occupied territories of Palestine."

The struggle continues.

Aberdeen TUC supports the flying of the Palestinian flag by Aberdeen City Council in solidarity with the people of Palestine

Graeme Farquhar

Aberdeen TUC has issued a media release supporting the flying of the Palestinian flag by Aberdeen City Council as part of the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Acting President, Graeme Farquhar today said, "We fully support the decision of Aberdeen City Council's Lord Provost  to yet again fly the Palestinian flag.
 
"The Aberdeen TUC in line with STUC policy continues in its efforts to secure peace and justice for Palestine in line with United Nations Resolutions aimed at bringing an end to Israel's illegal occupied territories of Palestine."
 
As in previous years Aberdeen City Council's Lord Provost will fly the Palestinian flag this Sunday 29th November to mark the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

This initiative is in support of the 2005 UN resolution 60/37 which encourages Member States to continue to give the widest support and publicity to the observance of this Day of Solidarity.
 

Please sign petition calling for an immediate end to the Israeli blockade on the people of Gaza

Aberdeen Trades Union Council continues its support for freedom and justice for Palestine by calling on all delegates, associaltes, families and friends to sign the petiton calling for an end to the long-standing blockade of Gaza by the government of Israel.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/308206 

The Gaza Strip has been under siege from Israel since 2007.  The impact of this siege, coupled with intermittent bombardments, has already had a disastrous impact on the physical and mental health of Palestinians in Gaza, as well as devastating the economy.  

In the past weeks this disastrous impact has once again been brought into sharp focus as Gaza has reported its first cases of COVID-19 which has started to spread quickly through refugee camps and communities. 

COVID-19 is uniquely threatening to the people of Gaza. The 1.8 million Palestinians cannot safely self-isolate – there simply isn't space – and no one can leave the region.

On top of that, Israel has not allowed sufficient medical supplies, including tests, to enter. It's a catastrophe waiting to happen.

After 13 years of conflict and blockade, Palestinians in Gaza face a severe shortage of resources and medical personnel. Health officials warn that containment and treatment under the Israeli blockade will be nearly impossible.

Together we are demanding that Parliament call on Israel to end the blockade NOW, before more life is needlessly lost.

The people of Gaza have for too long been abandoned by the international community, and the UK has a particular responsibility to act.  This petition calls on the UK government to confirm to us that they will show leadership and stand in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Please sign the petition. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/308206

ATUC joins with Scottish civil society to call for sanctions against Israel

Aberdeen Trade Union Council has joined with trade unions, community groups and individuals to sign an open letter calling for sanctions against Israel for their continued oppression of the Palestinian people, compounded by their threats of further annexation of Pelstinian land.

The letter reads:

"As representatives of Scottish civil society, we are extremely concerned for the fate of the Palestinian people who have suffered under Israeli occupation, settler colonialism and apartheid for decades. Despite the numerous declarations and resolutions of international bodies such as the United Nations which uphold Palestinian rights including the right of return to their homes and properties from which they have been displaced, no concrete actions have been taken to ensure the state of Israel ends its violations of Palestinian rights.

Instead we witness silence and ever-increasing complicity from our governments, institutions and corporations. In Scotland, our local authority pension funds continue to invest in some companies that arm Israel and in others those that directly sustain Israel’s illegal occupation, such as Bank Hapoalim. Meanwhile, our governments and senior politicians join with coordinated attempts to silence campaigners who are responding to the call from Palestinian workers and organisations from across civil society to boycott, divest from and sanction (BDS) the State of Israel and companies that are profiting from its breaches in international law.