Stop the War coalition Newsletter 4.9.26

Newsletter 04/09/26

As the holiday season draws to a close the threat of war, militarism and massive instability grows, and with it the need for a stronger anti-war movement. 

Europe has been engulfed by war fever, encapsulated by the German foreign minister’s statement that we are on the brink of war with Russia. Our new PM Andy Burnham has responded to the mounting war hysteria by increasing tensions: supplying more drones to Ukraine and committing to “maximum support” for President Zelensky and the war.

Meanwhile the Iran war continues. President Trump has again threatened to escalate the conflict, following US strikes along Iran’s southern coast near the Strait of Hormuz – another war crime which hit a wedding party and killed at least 18 civilians, including 2 children. Yet Burnham, like Starmer before him, has agreed to the use of UK bases by the US for their attacks on Iran. Iranian civilians, oil prices and the global economy pay the price. The inflationary impact of this war is being felt by us all and will only intensify over the coming months.

To counter this increased instability and warmongering Stop the War must build and campaign as hard as possible. 

With this in mind we have three international days of action taking place this autumn and are in the process of organising an international anti-war tour focussing on the issues of European militarism and welfare not warfare. The tour will take place in October and will visit at least 6 cities around the country, with a panel of international speakers, trade union general secretaries, StW officers and other key activists on the platform. Watch this space for details.

What you can do to help

• Make sure you have booked your travel for the international demonstration for Palestine on 10 October and are organising for the day. The demonstration (assembling on Victoria Embankment, London at midday) marks the three year anniversary of the Israeli genocide in Gaza. We need to ensure the protest is huge and get as many unions with their banners there as possible – join the union bloc at Cleopatra’s Needle.
  ​Leaflets are now available for printing and collection, you can download the pdf or collect from our office in London (please email first).
• Pass the the statement adopted by the day of dockworkers’ action.
• Prepare for the international weekend against militarism and conscription, starting with the Youth Strike on Friday 20 November.

Tell Andy Burnham to Stop Arming Israel

Pressure is building on Andy Burnham to recognise Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.

A model motion is circulating ahead of Labour conference which calls on the government to accept the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry that Israel has committed genocide and to impose comprehensive sanctions on Israel, including a full arms embargo.

It also calls for a ban on all trade that aids or assists Israel’s military actions in Gaza or its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, including all trade with Israel’s illegal settlements.

You can help increase the pressure on the PM by joining the Palestine coalition’s march and rally in Liverpool on Saturday 26 September – the eve of conference. 

There’s a coach leaving from London at 6.30am. Please let the office know if you’ve booked coaches from wherever you are.

Young people say NO to war

Students and young people refuse to be cogs in the war machine. Our Youth and Student Network is building for the 20 November Youth Strike against militarism and conscription.

Across Europe and beyond there will be student strikes, protests, assemblies and rallies to say no to war, militarism, and the new Defence Universities Alliance (UK).

Our online organising meeting at 6pm on 8 September will help you with ideas for what you can do in your university and college towns during freshers to really make a difference.

Welfare not Warfare

Sign the UCU petition!

In the run-up to the TUC congress we ask all trade unionists to get behind the UCU’s campaign for wages not weapons. With all the talk of dramatic increases in military spending, the importance of the trade union movement in campaigning against these spending hikes and the subsequent welfare cuts cannot be overstated.

This week’s anti-war briefing