More than 1,000 UK councillors sign Palestine pledge as local polls loom

Al JazeeraEN 5 min read 100% complete by Caolán MageeFebruary 26, 2026 at 02:01 PM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Ahead of local elections in May, over 1,000 UK councillors have signed the Councillor Pledge for Palestine, launched in December by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The pledge urges councillors to support Palestinian rights, challenge Israel, and ensure councils are not complicit in alleged wrongdoings. Signatories include councillors from the Green Party, Labour, Liberal Democrats, and other parties. Supported by Vote Palestine, the initiative aims to pressure councils to adopt Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policies, specifically divesting pension funds from companies linked to Israeli arms production. The campaign claims Local Government Pension Scheme funds invest billions in companies allegedly violating international law, and that a significant percentage of voters support divestment.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Scottish National Party 30% Plaid Cymru 30% Vote Palestine 40% Liberal Democrats 40% Conservative Party 40% Green Party 50% Labour Party 50% Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) 60% Israel 70% United Kingdom 80% Palestine Solidarity Campaign ×590%

Keywords

palestine 100% councillors 90% divestment 80% palestine solidarity campaign 70% local elections 70% israeli weapons manufacturers 70% bds movement 60% pension funds 50% apartheid 40%