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London council decides to divest from firms arming Israel in Gaza genocide

Friday, 24 January 2025 9:42 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 24 January 2025 10:15 AM ]

Students chant slogans at a pro-Palestinian camp at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, England, on May 8, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

A London council has passed a motion that calls for withdrawing its pension investments in companies providing Israel with weapons during its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

During a meeting on Wednesday, the Tower Hamlets Council voted overwhelmingly for the motion, which requires divesting its Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds from arms firms contributing to Israeli war crimes in Gaza, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) reported.

Chair of Tower Hamlets PSC Sybil Cock hailed the decision as a “fantastic” step forward, saying the council had listened to calls that demanded divestment from companies enabling Israel’s war crimes against Palestinians.

The council, she added, had "recognized its duty to cease all financial ties to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and its unlawful military occupation, and not to be complicit in the destruction of the planet.”

Tower Hamlets Council became the fourth London council to announce a divestment commitment after Waltham Forest, Islington, and Lewisham councils.

🚨After months of campaigning, Tower Hamlets council has passed a motion committing to DIVEST its Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) fund from arms companies producing weapons used in Israel’s crimes against Palestinians 🧵(1/5) pic.twitter.com/6swYYBC8lP
— Palestine Solidarity Campaign (@PSCupdates) January 22, 2025

PSC’s Campaigns Officer Lewis Backon said it was a "significant victory" that another council had recognized its moral and legal obligation not to be complicit in Israel’s genocide, military occupation and apartheid against Palestinians.

"All councils must follow suit – and commit to divesting from all companies enabling Israel’s crimes as quickly as possible," Backon noted.

Meanwhile, Kerie Anne, the Branch secretary of Tower Hamlets UNISON, said, “It is no surprise that people working in local government and education support services don’t want their pensions tied to death, destruction, and mutilation."

Calls have grown worldwide for divestment from Israeli interests since October 7, 2023, when the usurping regime launched its brutal Gaza onslaught.

Israel was forced to agree to a ceasefire, which began on January 19, after it failed to achieve its declared objectives in the besieged territory.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said on Thursday the death toll from the Israeli offensive had reached 47,283 with numbers rising despite a truce as new bodies are found under the rubble.

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