Palestine protesters force Sutton Council debate on Israel-linked companies in pension fund
Sutton Council will consider a review of its pension policy after a campaign group called on it to divest from armament sales and those operating in 'occupied Palestine'. The decision, made during a heated debate at a council meeting, follows a petition launched by Sutton Friends of Palestine (SFOP), which attracted over 1,800 signatures.
The petition called on the council to review all investment funds it manages, including the Local Government Pensions Scheme, to assess any links to companies that supply the Israeli military or operate in what some call the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Following strong local support, the petition led to a debate in the council chamber on Monday night (January 27), as per the council's constitution.
The debate, which unfolded on Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), was attended by dozens of SFOP members who were there to show support for the petition. SFOP's spokesperson, named Oliver, outlined the group's aims in a rousing five-minute speech at the start of the meeting.
In his speech, Oliver outlined the ethical and practical reasons for divestment whilst acknowledging HMD by telling the chamber: "Never again, for anyone."
This was followed by speeches from the council's three main political groups. Labour's Dave Tchill referenced his Armenian and Palestinian heritage when supporting the petition. He said: "To unwittingly fund despotic regimes, armament sales or weapons to be used against innocents - is something that this council should not knowingly undertake and is not something that residents, nor employees want to happen who receive the benefits of the investment fund. Let's not stop talking about Palestine."
Conversely, Conservative councillor and London Assembly member Neil Garratt spoke against the petition, stating that when it gets to the Pension Committee, 'it will be refused'. He added that he thought the campaigners were only representing one half of the conflict.
READ MORE: 10 powerful images from pro-Palestine rally as thousands stopped from marching past BBC
Independent councillor Nick Mattey attempted to comment following the debate, despite initially opting not to. This prompted Mayor Colin Shears to intervene saying: "Do not you touch that button, councillor!"
The debate concluded when Council Leader Barry Lewis spoke in favour of the review and commended SFOP. In the final vote, the Lib Dems and Labour councillors voted to send the petition to the Pension Committee for review.
The Conservatives largely opposed the motion, with a few abstaining. Two independent councillors also chose to abstain from the vote.
After the meeting, Oliver told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Last night's decision shows that Lib Dems and Labour in Sutton are willing to listen to their constituents on important ethical matters, despite the Conservative opposition trying to silence the petition before the Pension Committee could consider it."
"It's an important step towards ethical divestment, but there's still more to be done," Oliver added. "Sutton Friends of Palestine will continue to monitor the petition's progress in the hope that its recommendations will be fully implemented."
SFOP, which includes many schoolchildren, grabbed headlines last year when its members confronted the then-Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Scully about his stance on the conflict. Scully, who was visiting Greenshaw High School at the time, lost his seat to Lib Dem Luke Taylor in the May election.
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