THIS is a question that solidarity activists are often asked. Why Palestine? Why not somewhere else?

It is a question that presupposes that those of us engaged in international solidarity struggle focus only on the issue of Palestine. 

This, of course, is simply not true. The NUT (now part of the NEU) has a long and proud history of campaigning on a range of international issues. 

Currently, we are active in supporting struggles of people in Turkey, Iran, Kenya, various countries in Latin America and the Rohingya in Burma. 

I have never been asked why we campaign on these struggles. The simple truth is we campaign against inequality and injustice in places where workers ask us to take up their cause. The same is true of Palestine.

So the question should really be: “Why not Palestine?”

The Palestinian people are engaged in one of the longest resistances in modern history against an illegal occupation and siege; an ongoing refugee crisis which means millions of Palestinians are stateless; the imposition of cruel and inhumane systems and treatments; and the breach of international human rights legislation. 

Of specific concern to us is the treatment of Palestinian child prisoners in the Israeli military court system; the fate of refugees given the recent defunding of UNWRA schools and hospitals by the US; the creation of the new Nation-State Law which gives only Jewish citizens of Israel the right to self-determination and the continuing oppressive nature of the wall, the checkpoints, barriers and permits which impede the rights and movement of all Palestinians. 

We were glad the TUC reasserted its support for Palestine when it unanimously passed an emergency motion at its conference earlier this month.

These grievances are well-documented and the international community, including the UN, has repeatedly urged action to bring them to an end. But there are particular reasons why so many British people have taken up the cause of Palestinian people. 

Why Palestine? Because we created the situation.

Britain has a historic responsibility for what has happened to the Palestinian people. The British government through the Balfour Agreement handed the land over for the creation of a land for Jewish people and then failed to keep its promise to uphold the rights of all the citizens of the land.

Britain trades with Israel and supports Israel’s access to a preferential trade agreement. Meanwhile, Israel’s policies are strangling the Palestinian economy. We trade arms and munitions with Israel which are then used to uphold an illegal occupation; to injure and possibly kill Palestinian civilians. This makes Britain complicit in Israel’s breaches of international law.

Why Palestine? We suffer because of it.

The illegal occupation and siege harms us all, including Israelis, and needs to end. It contributes to a global destabilisation and an ongoing refugee crisis. 

Palestine has long been used to trial methods of repression now used against people everywhere. The tear gas used in Gaza was traded for use against the Black Lives Matter movement in Ferguson. 

Countries are training their police in techniques perfected by the Israeli government; surveillance and other technology systems trialled on the Palestinians are up for sale.

Why Palestine? Because the Palestinians have asked us to stand with them in solidarity. 

Anyone who’s been to Palestine and seen what is happening there cannot stand by. They return with an understanding and perspective that drives them on to take action to make a political change.
We are the eyewitnesses and the amplifiers for silenced Palestinian voices. Our friends and comrades in Palestine have welcomed us into their homes and their lives, shared their trials and their stories with us, asked us for help. Why would we walk away?

The question “why are you campaigning on Palestine?” needs to be reversed: “Why are you not?” Why are there not more people campaigning for justice for Palestine?

It has been good to see so many politicians, journalists and public figures declaring that the IHRA definition will not stop them criticising the injustice of Israeli policies. 

This will give great hope to the Palestinian people that at last policy-makers and those with agency are joining the campaign for justice. 

It is heartening to know that these people are now coming to join us in this cause and to add their voices to the millions of people around the world who recognise injustice and oppression when they see it. 

There are specific demands they can add their voices to our calls on Israel to:

• End the illegal military occupation and the siege of Gaza
• Enable the right of return for Palestinian refugees
• End the illegal settlements 
• End the cruel treatment and torture of child prisoners in Israeli military jails
• Condemn the racist Nation-State Law
• Demand that Israel commit to a proper peace process which values the rights of the Palestinian people

We look forward to a united campaign for the rights of the Palestinian people and to a long overdue just and peaceful resolution.

Kiri Tunks is NUT President, NEU.