More than 1,000 UK councillors sign Palestine pledge as local polls loom | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Over 1,000 Councillors in England Sign Pledge Supporting Palestinian Rights Ahead of Local Elections
More than 1,000 councillors across England have signed a pledge in support of Palestinian rights as local elections approach in May. The initiative, known as the Councillor Pledge for Palestine, was launched by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in December. It calls on politicians to uphold the rights of Palestinians, challenge Israel’s actions deemed as genocide and apartheid, and ensure their councils do not become complicit in these issues.
According to the campaign, 1,152 current councillors have signed the pledge. Signatories include 387 from the Green Party, 375 from the Labour Party, and 115 from the Liberal Democrats. Additionally, five Conservative Party councillors have joined the effort, along with numerous members from the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, the Scottish Greens, and independent candidates. Notably, no candidates from the far-right Reform UK have endorsed the pledge.
The initiative will open to all candidates in March and is backed by Vote Palestine, a grassroots campaign coordinated by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Other supporters include the Palestinian Youth Movement Britain and The Muslim Vote. The campaign seeks to encourage councils to adopt policies aligned with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, urging the divestment of pension funds from companies linked to Israeli military operations.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign reports that Local Government Pension Scheme funds, managed by councils, currently invest over £12.2 billion ($16.5 billion) in companies associated with alleged violations of international law. So far, 31 councils have passed motions supporting the divestment of such pension funds, with public opinion reflecting this issue—46% of voters support divestment, while 14% oppose it.
Supporters of the movement draw parallels to the anti-apartheid efforts of the 1980s, when over 100 local authorities banned goods from South Africa and exited investments in companies with South African ties.
Jeremy Corbyn Endorses the Campaign
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has thrown his support behind efforts to prioritize Palestinian issues in the 2026 local elections. In a post on social media platform X, he stated, “Let’s make the Palestinian issue non-negotiable in this election,” urging campaigners to back a “people’s pledge” that commits support only to council candidates who have endorsed Vote Palestine.
Among those who have signed the candidates’ pledge are Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali, Trafford councillor Hannah Spencer, and Matthew Brown, the Labour leader of Preston City Council. The May local elections are considered crucial for the Labour government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is facing declining approval ratings since taking office in 2024. Critics attribute some dissatisfaction to the government’s stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza.
With elections scheduled for every council seat in London, traditionally a Labour stronghold, campaigners believe Vote Palestine could significantly impact results in competitive areas. In Hackney, where Labour holds a prominent majority, the party is encountering challenges from the Green Party and Independent Socialists. All six Green councillors in the borough have signed the pledge, compared to three from Labour.
Zoe Garbett, a Green councillor in Hackney running for mayor, remarked on the impact of recent events in Gaza, highlighting the emotional toll on local residents.
Legal Challenges Surrounding Palestine Action
The election comes amid ongoing legal challenges related to the Palestine Action activist group. Earlier this month, the High Court ruled that a decision to label the group as a terrorist organization was unlawful, although the ban remains in effect as the Home Office pursues an appeal.
Amu Gib, an alleged member of Palestine Action, is running as a candidate for Islington Council in London’s Finsbury Park while incarcerated. He is facing charges connected to an alleged break-in at RAF Brize Norton and has previously engaged in a 49-day hunger strike. If elected, Gib would be the first person to hold office in the UK while incarcerated since Irish hunger striker Bobby Sands won a parliamentary seat in 1981.
Dan Iley-Williamson, a political organizer at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, stated that the movement’s commitment to Palestinian rights remains strong. “Vote Palestine will take our demands into the May elections and deliver a message to those seeking office: If you want our votes, stand up for Palestine,” he said.
