Palestine 'Flag' causes 'upset' in New Shire Hall.

For over 12 months, the Unison office area has displayed a small scarf with 'Palestine' written on it, and a small outline of the Palestinian flag. Today the Branch was 'visited' and asked to remove it as one person had requested this as it had caused them 'upset'.

Unison would ask that person to come and speak with the Branch, so we can ascertain what exactly has caused this upset and resulting request for it to be removed..

Before it is removed, and considering the length of time it has been on display. The Branch has aked to see any relevant policy or position statement that the employer holds, which would necessitate its removal. Oddly in the same conversation, the Branch were informed that there would be no issue with wearing the offending scarf, or indeed a T Shirt which is also hanging up, but slightly out of sight.

Position statement: The Branch takes the stance supported by Unison on Palestine.

That position can be found at the following link, but is also printed in full directly below. Please note this statement was issued 17 April 2025

UNISON NEC issues statement on the situation in Gaza - UNISON National

UNISON NEC issues statement on the situation in Gaza

National executive council repeats demand for an immediate and permanent ceasefire

UNISON condemns the latest bombardment and ground assault on Gaza by the Israeli military, which has ended the fragile ceasefire. We reiterate our demands for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, full access to humanitarian assistance, the safe release of hostages and end to the siege. Over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 2023 and a further 113,000 injured.

We are deeply concerned by the blockade on essential humanitarian assistance into Gaza and imposition of active displacement orders and no-go areas on approximately two thirds of Gaza’s territory. Over 280,000 Palestinians have again been displaced from the remains of their homes and forced to seek refuge in appalling conditions in overcrowded camps.

We welcome the Public Services International “Not a target” campaign and demand that the Israeli government protect health workers, healthcare facilities and the sick and injured, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

There have been over 670 attacks on healthcare since October 2023 and over 1,000 of our fellow health workers have been killed and at least 517 detained. We are particularly appalled by the horrific assault on five ambulances, a fire truck and a UN vehicle on 23 March, following which the bodies of 15 Palestinian paramedics and rescue workers were discovered in a shallow grave. On the same day the surgical department at Nasser Hospital was attacked and, two days earlier, the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital was destroyed.

Attacks on healthcare have also been commonplace in the occupied West Bank, with 64 recorded by the World Health Organisation in January and February this year. Access to healthcare has also been limited by increased restrictions on freedom of movement, legislation banning UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East) and the increase in attacks on Palestinians by the IDF and settlers.

We condemn the forced displacement of 40,000 Palestinians from their homes in the northern West Bank; the demolition of hundreds of homes and other structures; the establishment of about 50 new illegal outposts and plans to construct tens of thousands of new settlement housing units, all of which contribute to the annexation of the West Bank and undermine the prospects of a two-state solution.

We are concerned by the detention of two Labour MPs and their staff, who were denied entry to Israel whilst on a parliamentary delegation to the West Bank with Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Council for Arab-British Understanding. MPs should have the right to witness and report on the situation in the West Bank and it is deeply concerning that they appear to have been detained and denied entry for comments they made in support of a ceasefire and Palestinian rights in the House of Commons.

We call on the UK government to unequivocally condemn the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the blocking of humanitarian aid, and call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. We believe they must speak out and act immediately in support of the recognition of a state of Palestine as a contribution to a two-state solution, suspension of the arms trade and the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement until human rights are respected, and a ban on trade with the illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

UNISON continues to encourage our members to campaign both in their workplaces and the wider community for justice for Palestinians, for an immediate, permanent ceasefire. We particularly support our members joining in the TUC-backed workplace days of action.

Additionally the Branch announce that there was no intention to cause upset, or any suggestion that the Branch staff are anti semitic, by displaying the Palestine scarf, we are not and to suggest otherwise is totally false and we will defend our position vigorously.

To read more press releases from Unison on our position on Palestine, please use the link: Palestine Archives - UNISON National

PS No complaints about the display of the Bob Dylan VIP Pass have been made.