Historic Decision: Oxford Council Divests from Occupation in Support of Palestine

The Oxford City Council in the UK has voted to withdraw its investments from entities linked to the Israeli occupation, citing the ongoing genocide against the residents of Gaza.

The resolution passed unanimously, with council members referencing international law and the need to avoid complicity in the occupation of Palestine.

The decision comes amid mounting demands for divestment from companies and institutions involved with the occupation, especially given the atrocities committed in the Gaza Strip.

Oxford City Councilor Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini stated that the council unanimously approved the proposal to boycott and divest based on judgments issued by the International Court of Justice regarding Palestine.

She emphasized that this decision represents a critical first step toward withdrawing investments linked to settler-colonial genocide, occupation, apartheid, pension funds, and banking relationships, including transactions with Barclays.

The council currently banks with Barclays, a primary target of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement due to its investments in and loans to arms manufacturers supplying weapons and military technology to Israel.

The council’s decision also mandates a review of its policies to ensure no intentional commercial dealings or investments with entities associated with the occupation or implicated in war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, fossil fuel extraction, or arms manufacturing.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the number of Palestinians killed and injured since the 18th of this month has reached 830, bringing the total casualties of the aggression to 50,183 killed and 113,828 injured.