This year's TUC Congress saw the passing of a motion opposing the escalation of war in Lebanon, which has since been even further escalated by Israel. The motion was tabled by the University and College Union (UCU). The emergency motion, which was also supported by the RMT, reflects a growing opposition in the trade union movement to Israel's assault on both Palestine and neighbouring countries, in particular Lebanon and Iran.

Israeli warplanes and missiles continually assault Syria. The death toll from Israeli attacks on the Lebanon grows week by week. The Zionist regime attacks with increasing aggression towards Iran.

In particular, the conflict with Hezbollah opens up the possibility of a new war in the Lebanon prosecuted by Israeli forces.

The emergency motion noted that the "Israeli bombing of Lebanon-with the support of Britain-is a significant and qualitative escalation".

While at least 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, the motion further noted, "Israel's escalation threatens a much wider war in the Middle East that will lead to far greater death, destruction and instability in the region."

In response, the emergency motion committed the TUC:

1. To condemn the bombing of Lebanon and attacks on Iranian territory;
2. To oppose any attempts to escalate this war and demand a ceasefire now;
3. To support the call for a UK-wide workplace day of action in support of an immediate ceasefire.

The TUC Congress in Brighton also saw a large and enthusiastic meeting of Stop the War and a growing call to oppose policies committed to increasing arms manufacture.

The emergency motion E3 Stop the escalation of war in the Middle East - TUC Congress Motions can be found here: https://congress.tuc.org.uk/e3-stop-the-escalation-of-war-in-the-middle-east/#sthash.HlFhvEou.dpbs

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