ASU motion for Palestine

Motion Passed at Branch Conference 2023

That the ASU:
Is against all forms of antisemitism and islamophobia, and will actively campaign against discrimination in all forms
  • Demand an immediate suspension of all hostilities throughout Palestine.
  • Demand an immediate end to the blockade of Gaza. Restore food, medicine, fuel and humanitarian supplies, so that power and critical health, water and other infrastructure can be restored immediately.
  • Demand an end to the illegal occupation of Palestinian land by the state of Israel, an end to apartheid and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians, and for the Right of Return of Palestinian refugees.
  • Join and support the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against the state of Israel, similar to actions used against the former Apartheid regime of South Africa.
  • Support, and publicise to its membership, peaceful community protests in solidarity with Palestinians struggle for land and justice.
  • Condemn the Australian government’s silence and complicity regarding the war on Gaza and call on the Australian government to break all military ties with Israel.
  • Support the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network (APAN) and Free Palestine Melbourne (FPM) and encourage ASU members to join these two groups.
  • That if passed, the ASU publish this motion on their website, Facebook page and in a newsletter directed to members.


ACTU statement on Gaza

May 2025
Endorsed by ASU Vic/Tas Branch Executive – June 2025

The Australian Union movement is a movement of peace and solidarity. We continue to be horrified by the humanitarian catastrophe facing Palestinians in Gaza. The ACTU reiterates our previous statements and resolutions of October 2023, February and April 2024. The Australian Union movement condemns the Israeli Government's blockade since 2 March on humanitarian aid, including food, entering Gaza, putting more than two million Palestinians at critical risk of mass starvation. The Israeli Government has sought to shut down the existing aid and distribution system run by the United Nations and humanitarian partners and establish its own delivery mechanisms by the Israeli military, contravening fundamental humanitarian principles, and meaning large parts of Gaza will go without supplies.

The Australian Union movement strongly opposes the escalation of Israeli military operations in Gaza, with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launching ground forces into northern and southern Gaza and the intensification of air strikes, following the announcement of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel had approved plans to seize control of the Gaza Strip and forcibly move hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

The ACTU condemns the use of starvation as a weapon of war and urges Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice's Order to take immediate steps to prevent acts of genocide, punish incitement to genocide, and facilitate the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. Israel must immediately provide food and essentials to people in Gaza and ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.

We stand in solidarity with workers such as health workers who are both dealing with the immediate risk to their own health and safety and of caring for those injured, dying and facing starvation.

We continue to call for the immediate release of all remaining Israeli hostages by Hamas and condemn their abuses of human rights.

The ACTU calls on the Australian Government to take immediate steps to secure peace and compliance with international law by:
  • Using all influence, pressure, and diplomatic measures - including the use of targeted sanctions - to achieve a permanent ceasefire and pressure the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza, immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, respect international law and Palestinian's human rights
  • Coordinating with the United Nations, humanitarian organisations, and the international community to support the deployment of a humanitarian convoy to Gaza, and support the immediate, unhindered and safe passage of humanitarian aid.
  • Ending all military trade (including parts and components) with Israel, and working with other governments to ensure that Australian exports are not contributing to breaches of international law
  • Supporting international efforts to prosecute violations of international law.
  • Establishing emergency humanitarian visa pathways and fast-track all pending visa applications for Palestinians fleeing Gaza.
  • Recognising the State of Palestine
The ACTU calls for an end to the occupation of Palestine and a just and sustainable peace in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, including the removal of illegal settlements, the withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian lands along with the dismantling of the separation wall. In line with the ACTU's commitment to a two-state solution with the security of borders for both nations, we call on all countries to recognise, without delay, Palestine as a sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This will confirm the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination in a free and independent Palestine.

Implementing a two-state solution is the path to lasting peace, safety and security for both the peoples of Israel and Palestine.


ACTU statement on Gaza

22 April 2024
Endorsed by ASU Vic/Tas Branch Executive – April 2024

The Australian Union movement is a movement of peace and respect for all races and nationalities. We oppose war, racism, and oppression. We act in solidarity.

The Australian Union movement is horrified by the escalating violence and death toll of civilians in Gaza. The ACTU reiterates its statements and resolution of 19 October 2023 and 23 February 2024 and continues to call for an urgent and permanent ceasefire and the release of hostages and political prisoners.

The Australian Union movement is a movement of many cultures, communities, nationalities and faiths, we call on all community, civil society organisations and faith groups in Australia to build unity, oppose racism and promote cultural harmony and tolerance throughout their membership.

We condemn the deaths of over 34,000 civilians since 7 October including (1200 Israelis and over 33,000 Palestinians). We condemn the killing of Zomi Frankcom and other aid workers, including those working for Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA partner MA’AN development centre who have been working on emergency relief in Gaza.

The situation facing people in Gaza is dire: two million people are facing food insecurity. Food shortages have exceeded famine levels and mass death is imminent. The ACTU condemns the use of starvation as a weapon of war and urges Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice’s Order to take immediate steps to prevent acts of genocide, punish incitement to genocide, and facilitate the provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. Israel must immediately provide food and essentials to people in Gaza and ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.

The ACTU welcomes the Australian Government reinstating funding to UNRWA, appointing a special advisor to assess the IDF investigation of the killing of Zomi Frankcom, and calling for a two state solution.

The ACTU is deeply concerned, however, at evidence that Australia companies supply parts used as part of global supply chains , including to F-35 fighter jets. Israel utilises F-35 fighter jets to drop bombs on Gaza. Under international law, Australia has obligations to deny exports that could or would be used to violate humanitarian law and must employ all means to prevent genocide by another state. The Australian Government must take active steps to ensure it is not contributing to breaches of international law.

The ACTU calls on the Australian Government to take immediate steps to secure peace by:
  • Using all influence, pressure, and diplomatic measures to achieve a permanent ceasefire.
  • Ending all military trade with Israel
  • Enacting targeted sanctions on Israeli officials who have called for the denial of aid, and military and civil servants denying essential food and materials to civilians of Gaza.
  • Committing additional funding of $100 million in humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the West Bank

This latest escalation is part of a decades-long conflict that must be brought to a just outcome through dialogue and respect for international law, including human rights.

The ACTU calls on the Israeli Government and the Palestinian leadership to promote open, tolerant and respectful societies through adherence to democratic principles in governance, respect for human rights and equal treatment for all.

The ACTU calls for an end to the occupation of Palestine and a just and sustainable peace in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. Including the removal of illegal settlements, the withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian lands along with the dismantling of the separation wall. In line with the ACTU’s commitment to a two-state solution with the security of borders for both nations, we call on all countries to recognise, without delay, Palestine as a sovereign state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This will confirm the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination in a free and independent Palestine.