Model Motion
Whereas since October 2023, Israel has accelerated its violations of Palestinian human rights and academic freedom, including the genocidal campaign in Gaza and attacks on Palestinian universities, students and staff
Whereas the systematic assault on the educational sector in Palestine is part of an historic and ongoing project of ethnic cleansing and fragmentation.
Whereas Israel’s attack on the Palestinian education contributes to a system of displacement and dispossession targeting the cultural and intellectual life of the Palestinian people, preventing them from living, thriving, studying, and excluding them from free and equal participation in the international academic community.
Whereas British universities are complicit in the obstruction of Palestinians’ access to education through investment in companies implicated in Israel’s occupation, colonialism, and apartheid.
Whereas Palestinian Higher Education institutions have issued a Unified Call for Justice and Freedom calling on their international counterparts to take action in their support and defence.
Whereas the International Court of Justice (ICJ), citing Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, noted that “An entire generation of children is traumatized and will take years to heal. Thousands have been killed, maimed, and orphaned. Hundreds of thousands are deprived of education. Their future is in jeopardy, with far-reaching and long-lasting consequences.”
Whereas the ICJ ruled that “Israel must, in accordance with its obligations under the Genocide Convention, in relation to Palestinians in Gaza, take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of Article II of this Convention.”
This union believes that:
Education is a fundamental human right, enshrined in international law and a crucial pillar for a people denied their inalienable right to self-determination, in the preservation of their identity, heritage, and civic life.
An active stance by British academics against the attacks on the Palestinian people is urgently needed, given Britain’s complicity in their dispossession.
This union resolves:
To step up the pressure to end the war on Gaza and join the international movement calling for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire by establishing a committee and/or a student-staff assembly to undertake work towards:
Ending British universities’ involvement in the arms trade and complicit institutions –Organise to end [name university] investments, contracts or cooperation agreements with weapons companies supplying Israel and complicit institutions. Support the call for the USS and other pension funds to divest from companies complicit in Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people.
***(Note: This can be expanded to include ending cooperation with Israeli academic and cultural institutions, depending on the circumstances of the branch.)
Building academic links with Palestinian universities and academics–Explore collaborative initiatives such as twinnings, exchanges, joint projects, scholarship programmes, academic fellowships and partnerships that contribute positively to the Palestinian educational sector.
Note: This model motion is intentionally designed to be modular and adaptable to suit the unique circumstances of each branch. Feel free to customise the motion according to your branch's specific situation.
25 January 2024; 1st Update 1 February 2024; 2nd update 6th February 2024;