Students from the 27th January occupied the University Boardroom, they did so, not as the Union but were supported by both Union Officers and the resolution below.

Cheeck out how they are getting on at http://occupied-bradford.blogspot.com/

Students from Bradford have decided that we should support the Palestinian struggle for freedom, support the workers of Palestine in their fight for freedom.

The motion which was passed with an overwhelming majority was part of the General Meeting of students, it called for the Union to affiliate with Action Palestine, link with a University in Gaza and demand the University take steps in de-investing in companies that support the occupation. See the passed motion bellow.

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free - End the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

This union notes:

1.    Over a thousands Palestinians have been killed during the 20 days of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, and over 5000 more have been injured.
2.    Four Israelis have been killed by Hamas rocket attacks.
3.    On Tuesday 6th January over 40 Palestinians were killed when an Israeli air strike hit a United Nations school. Earlier that day three people were killed when another UN school was attacked.
4.    The International Committee of the Red Cross has accused Israel of failing to honour its obligation under international law to treat and evacuate injured civilians in Gaza.
5.    Israel’s blockade of Gaza has now continued for over eighteen months. The blockade prevents people moving freely in and out of Gaza, and prevents vital supplies including food and medicine from reaching the people of Gaza.
6.    As a consequence of the blockade many hospitals lack essential medical supplies, and patients are dying because of a lack of medicines and equipment.
7.    The United Nations, and several aid organisations have warned of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Over a million Palestinians are denied access to electricity and clean water, and Save the Children has reported a “severe shortage of food.”
8.    The World Bank has warned of a public health crisis, as almost the entire population of Gaza has been left without clean water, and the sewage system is on the brink of collapse.
9.    On Sunday 28th December the Islamic University of Gaza was attacked, destroying buildings housing laboratories and other educational facilities and severely disrupting the education of over 20,000 students.
10.    Aid agencies, UN representatives and humanitarian organisations have called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as the only way to prevent more civilian casualties.
11.    The IDF’s (Israeli Defence Force) has been reported by the UN and other international bodies to be using banned weapons such as white phosphorus flares and rockets.
12.    That although Israel has called a temporary ceasefire they remain in Palestine.

13.     The University of Bradford holds shares in Caterpillar (CAT) – a company whose machinery is used to bulldoze Palestinian homes, resulting in the displacement of thousands of Palestinians.

This union believes:

1.    That Israel should withdraw from Gaza and all of the occupied Palestinian territories immediately.
2.    That the IDF’s use of banned weapons, and targeting of civilian including children is appalling and should stop.
3.    That all humanitarian organisations should be given access to Gaza.
4.    That although the Israeli forces have declared a cease fire, they illegally remain in the occupied territories, as they have done for the last 40 years. 
5.    That the IDFs actions will only increase “terrorism”, “freedom fighters” and anger against Israel.
6.    The only way for Israel and Palestine to see peace is for Israel to take the first steps as the larger aggressor.

This union resolves:

1. To support the demonstrations against Israel’s attack on Gaza, and to encourage our members to attend.
2. To call for actions to take place on campus making people aware of the issues.
3. To support student occupations across the UK calling for a free Palestine.
4. To condemn killing of all people and although the Hamas rockets are small in number we also call for these to stop as Israel stops and support the workers struggling for freedom in Occupied Palestine.
5. To call for an end to Israel’s military attacks, for Hamas rocket attacks to stop, and for Israel to lift its siege of Gaza, and to demolish the illegal security barrier surrounding the occupied Palestinian territories.
6. To work with national campaigning organizations, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, to host speaker meetings to educate our members about the crisis and siege in Gaza.
7. For UBU to twin with the Islamic University of Gaza and place a plaque in the UBU to that effect.
8. UBU to affiliate to Action Palestine, the largest student action organisation for Palestine in the UK.
9. For the Union and the University to participate in putting pressure on Lloyds Banking Group sot that Lloyds accepts the passing of humanitarian help (money) to people in Gaza by stopping transactions with that bank until such time as they agree.
10. To demand that the University of Bradford de-invest from any and all companies that support the Israeli states actions and to withdraw shares from CAT within 24 hours or face further actions from students on Monday 26^th January.
11. To put pressure on Egypt, to open the Rafah crossing, and Jordon to open the borders and to allow aid and supplies to areas which are in dire need.
12. To pressure the governments to support an Inquiry on whether Israel has committed any war crimes

Passed by the General Meeting of the University of Bradford Union 22^nd January 2009 by an overwhelming majority.