Every Part of the Movement Can Become an Apartheid Free Zone
Every level of the trade union movement can take this step: national offices, trades councils, regional bodies, and individual branches.
An Apartheid Free Zone (AFZ) does not require a physical, brick-and-mortar building. Many exist as conceptual spaces including union branches, campaigning organisations, and social collectives.
An AFZ declaration is simply a principled public commitment to uphold the guidelines of the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
For many years, trade union members across Scotland have stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people. At successive STUC Congresses, delegates have consistently supported calls for BDS against the state of Israel. In 2026, Congress strengthened this position by committing the STUC to declare its offices, and all its workplaces Apartheid Free Zones, while encouraging affiliated unions and branches to follow suit.
The recognition that Israel operates as an apartheid state has long been established within the movement. The question now is what action should follow. Declaring an AFZ offers a clear and practical way to translate long-standing union policy into meaningful action.
We should all take this step in solidarity with Palestinian workers. Aberdeen Trades Council was among the first to sign up. As Tommy Campbell, former Unite Regional Officer, stated on behalf of Aberdeen TUC:
“Aberdeen TUC fully supports the Palestine solidarity movement in developing Apartheid Free Zones in Aberdeen and across Scotland. We are proud to be part of the international solidarity shown to the Palestinian people.”
Other trades councils have since followed, including West Lothian TUC, who moved the 2026 STUC motion on AFZs. Fire Brigades Union Region 1 (Scotland) have also signed up and spoke in support, East Area Chair Lewis Clark adding:
“This is a really simple ask. It takes about 90 seconds to complete the form online, and that visibility really does matter. We would really encourage you to do it.”
“So please do support , and get your union, workplaces, and committees all signed up to it”
Nobody is asked to throw their HP laptop in the skip! Or anything else for that matter. But when the time comes to restock or upgrade, or renew something, a conscious decision will be made not to purchase from an Israeli company, or from any enterprise that the leadership of the Palestinian BDS Movement prioritises as complicit, in other words, a multinational company that is profiting from the occupation and colonisation of Palestine.
We recognise that ending complicity with systems of oppression is a process. It requires time, awareness, and sustained commitment. Becoming an AFZ is a meaningful step on that journey.
It is not about achieving perfection overnight. Instead, it represents a commitment to progressively align practice with targeted BDS principles; principles grounded in international law.
This is a modest but significant step. It aligns with long-standing union policy, demonstrating practical solidarity with Palestinian workers.
Move a motion at your next meeting!
Model Motion: Apartheid Free Zone (AFZ)
This Branch/District/Region/Committee/Other
- Notes the decision of STUC Congress 2026 to support the declaration of all STUC workplaces as Apartheid Free Zones, and for affiliate members to be encouraged to do likewise
- Agrees to declare itself an Apartheid Free Zone (AFZ).
- Agrees to:
- (i) Publicise this decision to all relevant members
- (ii) Encourage members to support the BDS movement in line with STUC policy
- (iii) To campaign for wider action within our union including by encouraging other Branches/Districts/Regions/Committees/Other to make the same commitment
*Amend as appropriate