TUC's motion supports the boycott movement for the first time and mandates the five-million-strong federation to campaign for workplace action, divestment and sanctions

The Trade Union Congress (TUC), an umbrella organisation representing five million British workers, voted for the first time in its history to back the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

During the TUC’s annual congress on Wednesday, delegates voted to back a motion proposed by Artists’ Union England (AUE) and seconded by Unison, Britain’s largest trade union.

The motion marks a major shift in the British labour movement’s approach to Palestine, and mandates the federation to actively campaign for an immediate end to all UK military cooperation and arms sales to Israel.