Overview
- The Palestine Solidarity Campaign says 1,152 sitting councillors have signed, with 387 Greens, 375 Labour, 115 Liberal Democrats and five Conservatives among the supporters.
- Organisers target Local Government Pension Scheme holdings they value at £12.2bn in companies they deem complicit in abuses, and report 31 councils have backed divestment motions or statements.
- The pledge will open to all council candidates in March under the Vote Palestine banner, as campaigners work to put Palestine policy on the ballot in the May local elections.
- Backers include figures on the left such as Jeremy Corbyn, while local contests like Hackney feature full Green group participation contrasted with limited Labour sign-ons.
- Opposition has intensified, with the Israeli embassy labelling the pledge a “disgraceful effort at intimidation” and Labour’s Lord Steve McCabe warning it risks politicising councils and straining community relations.