Lewis Clark, Chair, FBU East Area (Scotland) on the Earshot Report
At this year’s Fire Brigades Union Annual Conference delegates were presented with a report into the killing of emergency service workers in Gaza.
On Sunday 23 March 2025, evidence shows the IDF targeted and killed fifteen Palestinian emergency workers – including at least three firefighters – in an attack in which some victims were shot ‘execution-style’ from close range. These were humanitarian workers, clearly identifiable in uniform and vehicles, who were responding to those who had already suffered at the hands of the occupation forces.
During the incident, the attackers fired hundreds of rounds directly at emergency workers. As one worker lay fearing for his life, he referenced his chosen profession, calling out: ‘forgive me mother for the way I chose to help people’. He was then killed and his body dumped in a mass grave. These were not just attacks from a distance. They shot clearly identifiable workers at point blank range.
Seven days after the attack the bodies of fourteen victims, all wearing the identifying uniforms of their respective organisations, were recovered from a mass grave.
Also recovered from the soil was the crushed remains of a fire truck. One survivor described the truck as being discarded ‘like a crumpled cigarette packet’. These brutal killings are a scar on our collective conscience.
Our comrades had put on their uniforms and gone to work to help others, just like our members do every day. They were executed for being firefighters, paramedics and humanitarians.
This report, written by Earshot and based on meticulous research conducted with Forensic Architecture, details the deliberate targeting and assassination of firefighters and other emergency workers whilst responding to an incident in Gaza. Evidence that must be used to show the cruelty of the occupation forces and to get justice for those murdered in this attack.
It is understood that the Royal Air Force (RAF) flew a reconnaissance flight over the area two days after the attack. This may have collected evidence relevant to any potential criminal action.
To date, the UK government has refused to release the footage or engage with efforts to investigate the incident. We are demanding that this position be reversed.
Our government cannot be complicit in potential war crimes. The Fire Brigades Union demands justice and accountability. We demand answers from the government and call on all MPs and MSPs to join our campaign, and as part of this campaign we are going to be organising for this report and presentation to be made to the Scottish Parliament and STUC. We look to share this report far and wide and will utilise the SPSC Trade Union Network. Please do read and share this report and use all methods at your disposal to help us expose these heinous actions.
Read the report here
Lewis is Chair, FBU East Area and a member of Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign Trade Union Working Group
If you would like any further information please contact lewis.clark@fbu.org.uk
Would you like to get involved in the SPSC Trade Union Working Group? Contact husseine@scottishpsc.org.uk
