Issue - meetings

Councillor Johnson (as Chair) advised that he had agreed to receive a deputation at the meeting from Sheila Guhadasan representing the Brent & Harrow Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).  The Chair welcomed Sheila Guhadasan to the meeting along with the other representatives from the Brent & Harrow PSC attending in support, who advised that the deputation was seeking an update on progress with the Council’s review of investments under the UN’s Principles for Responsible Investment following the presentation of their petition divesting for Palestine at the Full Council meeting in September 2024.

In addressing the meeting, Sheila Guhadasan began by advising that the original petition had now attracted over 2000 signatures with the situation in Gaza and the West Bank remaining critical for Palestinians despite a fragile ceasefire and the deputation calling on the Sub Committee, as well as the Council, to recognise what were felt to be their legal and moral responsibilities and join the growing number of Councils, public bodies and institutions divesting for Palestine.

Referring to statements issued by the United Nations, Amnesty International and other reputable bodies regarding the impact of what those in support of the deputation and petition regarded as genocidal acts being committed by Israel in relation to their occupation of Gaza and the West Bank in violation of international law, it was pointed out these statements were also supported by rulings from the International Court of Justice and warrants of arrest being issued against Israel’s Prime Minister and former defence minister.

With UN experts having issued a statement demanding that states and companies stop arms transfers to Israel, and that financial institutions (including banks and pension funds) should cease investing in arms companies supplying Israel in order to avoid potential repercussions for complicity it was pointed out that, despite engagement with those institutions by human rights organisations over many years, it had not been possible to deliver any change in behaviour, supporting the need for more direct action.

Having previously called on the Council to consider divesting from companies complicit in Israel’s stance against the Palestinians, Sheila Guhadasan advised that the Local Government Association, had recently published an important new legal opinion (January 2025) on the ability of Pension Funds to take 'non-financial factors' into account when making investments decisions, which it was pointed out had included ethical considerations.

In terms of wider action, it was pointed out that the Brent and Harrow PSC had also been working with Trade Unions in support of their divestment campaign, including Brent National Education Union and UNISON as a recognised partner.  In addition, reference was made to actions being taken by other local authorities with the example of Tower Hamlets (following a UNISON led deputation) passing a motion declaring their intent to “divest all funds away from companies who deal in arms” alongside conducting a “complete audit of how all pension funds are used, and where any funds are invested” and other councils also making public commitments to divest including Bristol, Lewisham, Islington and Waltham Forest.

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