Stop the War coalition Newsletter, 17.4.25

Newsletter – 17/04/25

On May 15 we will be holding the next national workplace day of action for Palestine, supported by the TUC. We are asking all activists and trade unionists to get involved and get organising asap. Actions can be big or small – from lunchtime protests and marches to bake sales or simply wearing a Palestine badge to work – do what you can and let us know so we can publicise the action. 

Israeli forces have now seized about 20% of Gaza territory and are insisting they will maintain an armed presence in the Gaza ‘security zone’ beyond any settlement to end the war, undermining any progress towards a ceasefire.

Let’s use the Day of Action to help build the 17 May demo.

It is beyond disgraceful that David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, held a secret meeting in London on Tuesday with Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s Foreign Minister. Clearly worried about demonstrations and protest the visit was unannounced and not confirmed until Sa’ar had departed.

Gideon Sa’ar is a key member of Netanyahu’s government and has openly supported cutting all humanitarian aid to Gaza, with full knowledge of the impact on civilians and that collective punishment is a war crime. 

The decision to welcome a genocide supporter and enabler, a man who should be dragged before the International Criminal Court, into the heart of our government shows just how complicit the British state is in Israel’s genocide.

This is why it is so important the next national demonstration is as big as possible. 

Welfare not Warfare – a Trade Union Issue

Trade union conference season is upon us. We held a fantastic Welfare not Warfare fringe meeting at NEU’s national conference this week, but we also suffered a setback with the union passing a motion calling for military support for Ukraine. We must fight to change the policy next year.

The vote shows how vital it is to get the arguments into the root and branch membership of unions. The war in Ukraine is a proxy war directly connected Starmer’s militarism and Labour’s policy to provide billions for weapons of war. Starmer is leading the call to supply arms to Ukraine while denying welfare support to the most vulnerable in society.  

At our Welfare not Warfare fringe meeting our arguments were well received. Daniel Kebede, NEU General Secretary spoke of his immense pride at the NEU’s consistent support for the anti-war movement. It is clear we need to build on this in the year ahead.

If you are attending this weekend’s NASUWT conference please pop by and visit our stall.

 No to Austerity – No to War 

Welfare not Warfare

Our Welfare not Warfare meetings around the country are proving hugely popular and are continuing apace. The No More Austerity march and rally must be as big as possible, and we ask all our supporters and groups to do what they can to build it - petitions, street stalls, TU resolutions. The arguments cannot be more stark and the stakes could not be higher.

Begin organising now to join the Welfare not Warfare anti-war bloc on 7 June.

Check out our new Welfare not Warfare tote bags in our online shop!

This week’s anti-war briefing