More than 1,000 UK councillors sign Palestine pledge as local polls loom
Al Jazeera
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
More than 1,000 UK councillors have signed a pledge supporting Palestinian rights as local elections approach in May. Launched by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the initiative calls on politicians to uphold Palestinian rights, oppose Israeli policies, and ensure councils do not support companies linked to Israeli arms production. With 1,152 signatories, including members from major parties like Labour, Greens, and Liberal Democrats, the campaign aims to pressure local authorities to adopt divestment policies aligned with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The pledge has garnered significant support across political lines, though it notably excludes candidates from the Conservative Party and Reform UK. Backed by grassroots movements like Vote Palestine, the initiative seeks to influence council policies, particularly in divesting pension funds from companies complicit in violations of international law. According to campaigners, over £12 billion from Local Government Pension Scheme funds are invested in such firms. So far, 31 councils have passed motions supporting divestment, with public opinion polls showing strong backing for such measures.
The campaign draws parallels to the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s, aiming to use political pressure to shift economic investments and challenge Israeli policies. Prominent figures like former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have endorsed the initiative, urging candidates to make Palestinian rights a central issue in the elections. Supporters argue that this movement could significantly impact local government outcomes, particularly in areas like London, where Labour faces strong challenges from other parties.
As the May elections loom, the pledge has become a focal point for debates over UK-Israel relations and the role of local authorities in addressing global injustices. With 38% of voters supporting divestment efforts, campaigners believe this issue could reshape political landscapes, especially in key battlegrounds like Hackney, where Labour’s majority is under threat from the Greens and independent candidates. The growing momentum behind the pledge underscores a broader shift in public sentiment toward Palestinian rights and accountability for Israeli policies.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/26/2026