UNITE is planning a demonstration for peace in the Middle East in conjunction with the TUC, the union said today.

The move comes amid controversy within the union about Unite’s position on the current crisis.

Unite’s largest region, London and Eastern, has demanded that the union mobilise support for solidarity demonstrations, which it claimed it has not done hitherto.

And Unite executive member Frankie Leach criticised the union’s statement issued on the conflict, arguing it should be withdrawn as not reflecting union policy. 

The statement “condemned” the “appalling acts of violence” against Israeli civilians, but merely “deplored suffering and loss of life” by civilians in Gaza.

It condemned the “imposition of collective punishments” but did not call for a ceasefire, speaking instead of nation states’ “right to defend themselves” within international law.

Unite said the union’s statement was agreed by its executive chair and the general secretary in accordance with the Unite’s conference policy supporting a two-state solution.

A Unite spokesperson said: “Unite is focused on avoiding any unnecessary increase in the rising tensions and divisions around this issue in British and Irish workplaces and communities.

“We will not tolerate anti-semitism or anti-Muslim racism in any of its guises.”

The union was now in discussion with the International Trade Union Confederation “about humanitarian aid for the victims of this crisis and with the TUC about the organisation of a demonstration for peace.”

The TUC did not confirm that a demonstration was planned, telling the Star that it would not “comment on the detail of discussions held at the general council,” which had agreed a stronger statement.

It is unclear how such a demonstration would align with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, to which many unions are affiliated.