100 signatures reached
To: Worcestershire Pensions Committee
WORCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL STOP INVESTING IN GENOCIDE
If you are a resident of Worcestershire or work within the county of Worcestershire - please do support the petition below:
We, the undersigned , call on Worcestershire County Council to divest the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) fund it administers from companies enabling Israel’s grave violations of Palestinian rights. We call on the Council to:
We, the undersigned , call on Worcestershire County Council to divest the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) fund it administers from companies enabling Israel’s grave violations of Palestinian rights. We call on the Council to:
- Commit to divest the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) fund administered by Worcestershire County Council from companies complicit in Israel’s genocide, military occupation and apartheid against Palestinians. This includes arms companies supplying Israel with weapons and military technology; companies providing infrastructure for Israel’s unlawful military occupation of Palestinian land; and companies conducting business activity in Israel’s illegal settlements on stolen Palestinian land.
- End procurement contracts with companies complicit in Israel’s attacks. For example, terminate all banking arrangements with Barclays, which provides substantial financing to companies supplying Israel with weapons used in its attacks on Palestinians.
Why is this important?
Our research has found that Worcestershire Pension Fund LGPS invests just under £33 Million in 34 companies complicit in Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights. This includes companies supplying weapons and military technology to Israel, used in its attacks on Palestinians. (More info here: LGPS Investment Database - LGPS Divest)
Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip has killed many tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of Palestinians. Over 90% of Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced. The entire population is facing famine.
Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip has killed many tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of Palestinians. Over 90% of Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced. The entire population is facing famine.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has stated that Israel is in breach of the international prohibition on the crime of apartheid. The court affirmed that all states are under an obligation not to render aid or assistance to this unlawful situation.
Stemming from these obligations, councils must avoid procuring from or investing the funds they manage, including Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds, in companies that facilitate Israel's breaches of international law.
Worcestershire residents are demanding that Worcestershire Pension Fund invests in a way that does not contribute to grave human rights abuses, and in line with their own policy Responsible investment | Worcestershire Pension Fund
Multiple pension fund committees across the UK have successful agreed to similar requests, including Lewisham, Islington and Waltham Forest to name a few.
Multiple pension fund committees across the UK have successful agreed to similar requests, including Lewisham, Islington and Waltham Forest to name a few.
How it will be delivered
Worcester Palestine Groups will send the petition to Worcestershire County Council
