Opposition to NATO in Paris, October 2022 - Photo: Tehran Times

On November 11, Prime Minister Keir Starmer travelled to Paris to mark Armistice Day at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. According to the press release [1] the Prime Minister noted that he was the first Prime Minister to do so in 80 years but then revealed the real reason for the trip was a bilateral meeting to discuss with Macron prior to the ceremony on "the situation in Ukraine, including how best to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position going into the winter". Also on the agenda was the Middle East, which Starmer claimed underscored "their deep concern at the situation in Gaza and Lebanon" and "stability in the West Bank". At the same time it was said that the meeting talked about "the importance of bearing down on illegal migration at every stage of a migrant's journey".

In relation to Ukraine, it was reported that the two leaders discussed the potential shift in the US stance regarding the Storm Shadow missiles. These missiles are produced by Britain and France but can only be deployed using US systems. The BBC reported that both Britain and France had been urging President Biden to allow their use against Russian territory but President Biden had not so far given Ukraine "permission to use long-range missiles against targets inside Russia, for fear of escalation". However, only days later, Ukraine, with US authorisation and targeting, fired six ATACMS missiles into the Bryansk region in Russia opening the door to Anglo/US and French direct war against Russia. Other NATO members, notably the German chancellor Olaf Sholtz and Italy's Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, reiterated continued opposition to the use of their missiles to strike targets within Russian territory.

How Starmer and Macron chose to mark Armistice Day, whilst claiming to be mourning the dead that died in World War I but instead discussing how to desperately continue to escalate their proxy war against Russia in Ukraine and how to better support Israel in the war on Gaza, the West Bank and on Lebanon, is a glaring exposure of their criminal aims in shedding crocodile tears for the dead. They carry on endangering the world and engulfing it in war. To further heap the abuse of "illegality" and persecution on migrants who are victims of their wars and their interference across the globe adds insult to injury. It not only exposes the so-called high ideals of this present generation of warmongering imperialists, but is a reflection on the criminality of those warmongering imperialists of the past who claimed World War I as the "war to end all wars", building "a land fit for heroes" and other such hypocrisy which is regurgitated today on Armistice Day under the slogan "Lest We Forget" [2].

Demonstration in Finland - Photo: Yorkshire CND

Since this meeting, and with the increasing failure of their proxy war against Russia and the crisis of their complicity in the genocidal war of Israel against the Palestinians, the British and French governmental leaders have continued to discuss joint support for these wars as the "leading" allies in Europe. On November 22, the French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met in London. The professional head of the military and advisor to the Prime Minister, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who also visited Ukraine to meet Zelensky last week, for this part declared that military spending must go up [3]. UK also sees privatisation 'opportunities' in Ukraine war [4].

The desperate ambitions of the British and French ruling elites have given rise to reckless justifications and speculations reported in the media about crossing new "red lines" and whether this means France and Britain are risking nuclear war or will be sending troops into Ukraine or not. At no time do they ever admit that they have no justification or mandate for waging a war against Russia, let alone escalating war in the name of the peace-loving British people. Nor do they have any justification for their criminal arming of Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people, their support for Israel's invasion of Lebanon and their own bombing of Yemen.

On why Macron and Starmer met, one commentator put it that "Starmer's visit to France comes as European leaders scrambled to plan a strategy for dealing with an impending second Donald Trump US presidency". But what is so noticeable is the desperation of these old European powers at even the remote fear of being isolated by Trump's forthcoming Presidency in the US and other NATO countries' reluctance to escalate the war in Ukraine and support Israel. Also it could be said that their talks were a scrambling to deal with their isolation in the crisis-ridden European Union with the collapse of Olaf Sholtz's "centre left" coalition in Germany which they see as being threatened from the "far-left" and from the "far-right", and that the "centre ground" is becoming increasingly embattled. This has exposed the bankrupt reference point favoured by Starmer and Macron, a neo-liberalism to justify dividing the polity into "left" and "right", both of which are portrayed as extremes, while claiming to occupy the "centre ground", which is supposedly where all good moderates should position themselves, and that therefore all reasonable people must succumb to their imposition of police power over the population, the strictures of austerity and their warmongering in NATO.

Britain and France as the "old powers" of Europe are trying to continue their desperate attempts to stop the collapse of their ambitions to continue their failing Anglo/US NATO proxy war in Ukraine against Russia, together with their failing attempts to continue their domination over Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia in the face of the escalating resistance of the peoples of the world in standing with Palestine and for peace in Ukraine. The British working class and people stand as one with the French against the warmongering of their governments, and the call is to build the movement against war and for peace, justice and democracy.

Notes
1. Press Release: PM meeting with President Macron of France
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-president-macron-of-france-11-november-2024
2. The 1918 Armistice which brought World War I to an end was signed, marking the end of the war. A slaughterhouse of unprecedented proportions, World War I was referred to as the "war to end all wars." The Treaty of Versailles was finally signed by Germany and the Allied Nations on June 28, 1919, formally ending World War I.
World War I was an inter-imperialist war, a war in which working men were sent to be slaughtered as empires clashed to re-divide the world. World War I left 9 million soldiers dead and 21 million wounded. In addition, at least 5 million civilians died from disease, starvation, or exposure. The influenza epidemic that swept the world in 1918 killed an estimated 50 million people. One fifth of the world's population was attacked by this deadly virus.
For further articles on World War I, see Workers' Weekly commemorating the centenary of the end of the war, dated November 11, 2018: Workers' Weekly Internet Edition Year 2018 Volume 48 Number 22:
https://www.rcpbml.org.uk/wwie-18/ww18-22/ww18-22.htm
3. "No 'red lines' in Ukraine support, French foreign minister tells BBC":
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czd5myvyrjzo
4. UK sees privatisation 'opportunities' in Ukraine war, Declassified UK
https://www.declassifieduk.org/uk-sees-privatisation-opportunities-in-ukraine-war/?utm_source=drip&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Your+Weekly+Roundup

Britain's complicity in the genocide and bombing of the Palestinian people in Gaza is continuing to be further revealed. In Gaza over 43,000 people have been killed with almost 70% of those killed women and children, with 96,0359 injured or wounded. With the invasion and bombing of Lebanon over 3,000 have been killed and over 14,000 injured over the last year. The untold suffering of the Palestinian and Lebanese people as a whole adds to the criminality. Britain has continued exporting components for use by the Israeli air force (IAF), since the gaps in the restrictions of the Labour government on arms exports in early September have allowed these continued arms sales. This is in addition to continued British flights over Gaza to provide intelligence and support for Israel's genocide against the Palestinians previously reported in Workers' Weekly [1].

According to recent articles in Declassified UK [2] parts for Israel's most advanced fighter jet F-35 have continued to be secretly shipped from a British military base in Norfolk with the sender Lockheed Martin UK Integrated Systems office which is based in Havant, near Portsmouth. Lockheed Martin is a major US arms corporation and the lead player in the international consortium that produces the F-35 fighter jets. The Labour government suspended 30 out of 350 arms export licences to Israel in early September, citing concerns over violations of international humanitarian law. However, the British components for the multinational F-35 joint strike fighter programme were excluded from the decision, "except when going directly to Israel", which in reality makes no difference as they can get exported by a third party. Over 15% of each plane is manufactured in the UK.

Emily Apple from Campaign Against the Arms Trade commented on the Declassified UK research: "These revelations show clearly that the Labour government is still complicit in Israel's genocide in Gaza.

"Despite the government admitting that Israel has used F-35s to commit war crimes, it has provided massive loopholes, with zero accountability, to allow companies to continue exporting components.

"Due to the lack of transparency in UK arms exports, there is no accountability in this system, and therefore no guarantees that this equipment won't be used by the Israeli military to commit atrocities in Gaza". The government's carve-out for F-35 exports is set to be challenged at the High Court on November 18 by Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq and the Global Legal Action Network [3].

Notes
[1] The Truth about UK Airbase in Cyprus
https://www.rcpbml.org.uk/wwie-24/ww24-25/ww24-25-03.htm
UK military has flown 200 spy missions over Gaza in support of Israel
https://www.rcpbml.org.uk/wwie-24/ww24-10/ww24-10-03.htm
[2] F-35 components sent to Israel from Royal Air Force base - Declassified UK, October 31
https://www.declassifieduk.org/f-35-components-sent-to-israel-from-royal-air-force-base/
UK exported parts for Israeli air force after suspending arms sales - Declassified UK, November 13
https://www.declassifieduk.org/britain-exported-parts-for-israeli-air-force-after-suspending-arms-sales/
[3] UK Weapons Sales to Israel - Global Legal Action Network (GLAN)
https://www.glanlaw.org/israel-weapons-sales

On Thursday, November 28, tens of thousands of working people in Britain answered the call of Palestinian trade unionists by taking action in their workplace, educational institution or community.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) explained:

University of Bedfordshire - Photo: Counterfire

"In September, TUC Congress unanimously passed a motion demanding an end to all arms trade with Israel, reiterating support for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) and recognising that all Palestinians are subjected to a system of oppression that is recognised internationally as apartheid. Congress also voted to adopt an emergency resolution to support calls for a UK-wide workplace day of action in support of an immediate ceasefire.

"Palestinian workers, remaining steadfast in pursuing their struggle for freedom and justice, have called on workers around the world to stand in solidarity with them by campaigning to end the complicity of their governments, corporations and institutions in Israel's system of oppression."

The TUC stated that unions are supporting the workplace day of action, calling for an immediate ceasefire, on November 28. Members are encouraged to liaise with their union about solidarity actions in their own workplaces. Tens of thousands of trade unionists in Britain have already carried out an array of solidarity actions. The TUC said: "Palestinian workers have called on workers around the world to stand in solidarity with them. The imposition of a system of oppression against all Palestinians by successive Israeli governments has been shown to meet the definition of the crime of apartheid under international law. The TUC is calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages and Palestinian political prisoners, and in line with our wider policy on the situation, for the UK government to: apply international pressure to help ensure access to essentials such as food and medicines in Gaza; end all licences for arms traded with Israel - meeting international law; immediately recognise the State of Palestine."

Newcastle workplace rally - Photo: Workers' Weekly

The TUC is calling for a ban in the trade in goods from the illegal settlements, for the UK to halt trade talks with Israel, and to suspend the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement until the Israeli government complies with international law, UN resolutions and respects Palestinians' human rights. It stated: "We share concerns expressed by the UN and others of the risk of a full-scale conflict in the Middle East, and we echo calls for de-escalation. The TUC supports genuine efforts towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace that is consistent with international law, and is based on a two-state solution, which promotes equality, democracy and respect for human and labour rights."

The union Unison stated that it joins Palestinian trade unions in their continued demands for an immediate ceasefire, access to humanitarian assistance and for the arms trade with Israel to be suspended. It also supports the calls for the immediate and safe release of hostages held in Gaza, the release of Palestinian political prisoners, full recognition of the State of Palestine and an end to trade with the illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

A Newcastle workplace rally organised by Trades Unionists for Palestine took place at Haymarket. Workers from the NEU, PCS, UCU, Unison (Gateshead) and Newcastle Trades Council participated. About 200 rallied at noon, with union banners and strong delegations from PCS, UCU and Unison, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the end of arms sales to Israel. Unions which provided speakers included UCU, PCS, Unison and NEU as well as the local trades council and student speakers.

Glasgow, Scotland - Photo: Glasgow Stop the War

The trade union day of action saw a great turn-out in events by trade unionists across Greater Manchester which culminated in a rally in central Manchester. Speakers included union officials from Unite, Unison, UCU, and representatives from local trades councils. The assistant branch secretary of Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Unison branch, which is currently taking strike action, gave a speech linking the struggles in the UK and in Palestine. More than 100 students and staff also joined together for a Palestine rally at Manchester Metropolitan University. There was also a protest at arms firm Thales, in nearby Stockport.

In York, some 30 people marched as part of the TUC day of action. This included a delegation from York Unison, alongside banners from York University UCU, York and District TUC and Leeds/York Unite Community.

Lancashire Trades Council co-ordinated the workers' day of action in Preston. A rally was held in the city centre at midday with workers from local government and education sectors joining during their lunch break. A number of college students from the local sixth-form college joined the rally.

SOAS University of London - Photo: Counterfire

Healthcare workers also participated in the workplace rallies. The staff group at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, organised a walkout on November 28, calling for others to come along and support them. They upheld the slogans: End the NHS's collaboration with Palantir! Stand together and show respect for Palestinian and Lebanese healthcare workers! Palantir is the data-crunching firm, specialising in software platforms for big data analytics, headed by billionaire Peter Thiel in the United States. NHS bosses awarded his firm a massive patient records contract despite Thiel saying he wants to abolish the NHS. His firm is also heavily integrated with the Israeli military and spy agencies.

It is reported that actions were also called for at the Department for Business and Trade which grants arms licenses, with the Palestinian Youth Movement, Workers for a Free Palestine, Queers for Palestine, Sisters Uncut and London for a Free Palestine. Arms embargo NOW!

At SOAS, part of the University of London, as part of the workplace day of action, students and staff took part in a vibrant action to defend protest on campus. Around 200 people protested against university complicity in the ethnic cleansing of students, and against the attacks on students and staff in Britain for their solidarity with Palestine. They expressed their solidarity against the university's crackdown on the pro-Palestine movement. SOAS and the University of London has suspended multiple students for their solidarity with Palestine and had secured an injunction to stop any and all demonstrations on their own campus. Speakers at the protest included the long-time campaigner Andrew Feinstein, as well as Jeremy Corbyn, the student activist Haya Adam, and Lindsey German from Stop the War Coalition.

Bristol PCS members outside HMRC - Photo: Counterfire

Dozens of pro-Palestinian students, staff and their supporters also gathered at the University of Leicester. In addition to supporting the day of action, the protest was also in solidarity with students who were arrested at an occupation demanding the university end its links with firms supporting the genocide in Palestine. The police had been called on to campus to break up the occupation.

Protesters also gathered at Brighton University with many heading to the local L3 Harris arms company. Meanwhile in the city centre over 100 joined a protest that included a banner that read, "Unite members say Stop the War".

Up to 50 students and staff at Imperial College, in west London, held a lunchtime protest. Students and staff numbering 200 attended a lunchtime rally at Cambridge University. This event was co-organised by the Unite, UCU, Unison and NEU unions and students from Cambridge for Palestine and PalSoc. Around 30 students and staff from the London College of Fashion, in east London, held a lunchtime protest at their new campus in the Olympic Park. Up to 70 students and staff at Birmingham University joined a two-hour protest organised by the UCU and Unison unions. Activists now plan to make this a weekly event.

Staff and students from City of Bristol College took part for the eighth time in the national workplace day of action. They rallied outside City Hall and were joined by workers from surrounding workplaces including the University of Bristol and striking NEU members from St Brendan's Sixth-Form college. Delegates from Bristol Trades Council as well as members from NEU, Unison, UCU and PCS came out to College Green. The rally was hosted by the chair of Bristol Stop the War and speakers included a Professor Emeritus of Bristol University, the chair of Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign, an NEU rep, a consultant from the Bristol Royal Infirmary, and the chair of PCS and Southwest TUC. With TUC backing, there was greater scope for co-ordinated action and lunchtime rallies also took place at Glass Wharf and outside Elbit Systems in Filton. A vigil also took place outside the Bristol Royal Infirmary in the afternoon. There were dozens of further actions in the region.

(TUC, PSC, Unison, Stop the War, Counterfire, Socialist Worker, Workers' Weekly)