PCS members request to stop work on arms exports to Israel
Civil servants have asked their bosses to stop giving them work related to export licences to Israel, and other tasks that may be related to Israel’s war on Gaza.
Union members in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) have told senior civil servants that they may be liable if it is deemed Israel has broken international law.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), which represents civil servants, has asked for an urgent meeting to discuss “the legal jeopardy faced by civil servants who are continuing to work on this policy”.
In a letter they said: “Given the implications for our members we believe there are ample grounds to immediately suspend all such work.
“We therefore request that you meet with us urgently to discuss this matter and cease work immediately.”
It is understood members have asked their employers to stop giving them tasks related to export licences to Israel, alongside other work that may be related to Israel’s war on Gaza.
Paul O’Connor, head of bargaining at PCS says:
“The International Court of Justice considers that some of the alleged acts by Israel in Gaza could potentially be considered within the provisions of the Genocide Convention. PCS concurs with that view. We believe that the UK government has an obligation to do all it can to halt the onslaught. As it does not appear to be willing to do so, we are seriously considering taking legal action to prevent our members from being forced to carry out unlawful acts. We do not take such cases lightly and we only do so where we have rreasonable prospect of winning.”
UCU members write to employers
We have today written to the university employer body UUK calling on them to review their UK-Israel research partnership scheme – in line with legal and ethical obligations to avoid any complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
See the letter in their Twitter post below.