Motion Submitted to Labor Party to Cancel Palantir Agreement

The Socialist Health Union affiliated with the Labor Party and some local organizations of the party shared the proposal prepared to be presented to the party's annual conference to cancel the 330 million pound (approximately 21.5 billion lira) agreement between the NHS and the US data analysis company Palantir.

In the motion, it was stated that Palantir's support to the Israeli army and its use in anti-immigrant practices in the USA were grounds for termination on human rights grounds for the UK, and added: "Palantir's name is mentioned in many human rights violations, including the Israeli army's illegal occupation of Palestinian lands and the genocide in Gaza." The expression was used.

Recalling that the strategic partnership agreement between Israel and Palantir was signed in 2024, the motion emphasized that the company offers Israel an artificial intelligence-based service used to identify targets in Gaza.

In the motion, it was stated that the appointment of Tom Watson, the former second man of the Labor Party, as deputy general manager to Palantir, reduced the trust in the political institution in the society, and it was reminded that 6 police forces in the country, including the London Metropolitan Police, terminated their relations with Palantir.

"This company should not even come close to the NHS"

Making a written statement regarding the proposal, Rathi Guhadasan, President of the Socialist Health Union, said: "Allowing Palantir access to the NHS Unified Data Platform was a disaster. This company should not even come close to the NHS." he said.

Guhadasan emphasized that Palantir contributed to human rights violations and said, "From (US President) Donald Trump's anti-immigrant practices to Israel's use of technologies targeting Palestinians in the genocide in Gaza, Palantir's human rights record is a sufficient reason for the termination of government contracts." made his assessment.

Underlining that Prime Minister Andy Burnham should listen to NHS workers and terminate the agreement, Guhadasan also pointed out that the agreement is not cost-effective.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign Deputy Chairman Peter Leary also reacted to Watson's appointment at Palantir, saying: "This is a shameful attempt to buy political influence and protect lucrative government contracts, especially the £330 million NHS contract." he said.

Leary pointed out that directing public resources to a company that supports Israel's genocide and apartheid against Palestinians disturbs the public and said, "Companies that facilitate Israel's crimes against Palestinians should be prevented from profiting from public services." shared his opinion.

Although the motion to be voted on at the party conference is not binding, it has an impact on the party management as a request of the organization.