News / protest
Protesters call for Bristol City Council to ‘divest for Palestine’
“Over the festive period we talk about good will to all people, (but) we should be saying it’s good will to all people except Palestinians,” passers-by heard in College Green on Tuesday afternoon.
Protesters from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign gathered in front of Bristol City Hall at 1pm on Tuesday to ask the council to ensure the Avon Pension Fund divests from defence companies they claim are helping arm Israel in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Shona Jemphrey, Green councillor for Lawrence Hill, was also in attendance.
is needed now More than ever
The Avon Pension Fund, administered by Bath and North East Somerset Council, administers the local government pension scheme for over 450 employers in the South West.
View this post on Instagram
Carrying Palestinian flags and placards calling for the council to “Divest Now!”, protestors pointed to the growing death toll in Gaza and recent arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as reasons to divest.
On November 21, the ICC issued warrants for the arrest of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as the former Israeli minister of defence, Yoav Gallant, for alleged ‘crimes against humanity and war crimes’.
At the same time, a warrant was also issued for Hamas leader Mohamed Deif for the same alleged crimes.
Members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign also tabled a statement and eight questions for the scheduled full council meeting at 2pm on Tuesday.
The Bristol branch of the national Palestine Solidarity Campaign will gather again on Saturday for their ‘Big Ride for Palestine’ that will take them from the city centre to Patchway
One question reads: “In recent years, Bristol City Council has been proactive in pushing for sustainable investment strategies within the Avon Pension Fund, such as divesting from fossil fuels, demonstrating your leverage in influencing fund decisions.
“What steps is the council taking to actively encourage the Avon Pension Fund to divest from companies linked to violations of international law, such as those operating in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories?
“Additionally, could the council outline how it is leveraging its influence, as one of the Fund’s largest contributors, to ensure ethical investment policies that align with international human rights standards.”
Main photo: Hannah Massoudi
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
