Monmouthshire and Southwark Councils back divesting from companies complicit in Israel’s crimes against Palestinians

In the latest win for campaigners, Monmouthshire and Southwark Councils have decided to support divestment from companies complicit in Israel’s crimes against Palestinians.

On 15 September, Southwark Council issued a statement saying it will “build the UN Genocide Convention into our investment framework” so that investments are not made in states in breach of the convention. It also committed to “disclose and divest pension fund investments” in companies that are included in a list compiled by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of businesses active in Israel’s illegal settlements.

The council will also work in London CIV, the asset pool it is part of with other London local authority pension funds, to enable “exclusions of investments linked to conflict, military occupation or genocide”.

Research by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign had shown that Southwark Pension Fund invests over £97million in companies enabling Israel’s genocide, military occupation and apartheid against Palestinians.

Later in the week, on 18 September, Monmouthshire Council voted for a motion calling on Greater Gwent Pension Fund to identify and take steps to end investments “in companies that are supplying arms, military technology, or logistical support which enable breaches of international law in Gaza”.

Currently, the Greater Gwent Pension Fund committee holds over £233 million investments in companies complicit in Israel’s genocide, military occupation and apartheid against Palestinians.

This story is adapted from a statement issued by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. To read the full statement by Southwark Council, click HERE. More information, including copies of any relevant statements and/or motions, should be available on the LGPS Divest website (HERE) in due course.