Bristol Green councillors will call for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the UK’s arms trade with Israel. The leader of Bristol City Council, Green Councillor Tony Dyer, could soon write to the government urging Keir Starmer to stop British companies selling weapons to the Israeli military.
Israeli attacks have killed more than 46,000 Palestinian people since the war began in October 2023, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health — roughly equivalent to 10 per cent of the population of Bristol. Women and children reportedly make up more than half the deaths.
Councillors will debate a motion during a full council meeting on Tuesday, January 14, when the Greens will try to get other political parties to support their calls. The motion was put forward by Green Councillor Shona Jemphrey, who said her party was listening to pro-Palestine activists.
She said: “The scale and suffering of the people of Gaza is incomprehensible, and alone in the face of such atrocities it’s easy to feel helpless. This motion is to show that collectively as a council and as a city, there are tangible actions we can take to address the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
“It is inspired by the activists who regularly come to City Hall to make their collective voice heard. The Green Party is listening. There must be an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the prime minister must stop the UK’s arms trade with Israel to prevent more casualties.”
Last month campaigners gathered outside City Hall to campaign against Bristol’s local government pension scheme, which has invested millions into the arms trade. A Palestinian woman gave a tearful speech during a full council meeting, urging councillors to take action.
Green Cllr Fi Hance represents Bristol City Council on the Avon Pension Fund committee. The pension fund invests public money in several arms companies whose products Israel is using to invade Gaza, and has recently come under increasing pressure to divest from these companies.
She said: “Like so many people in Bristol and across the world, I have been horrified by the events in Gaza and am in full support of this motion. I am already doing all I can to investigative how the Avon Pension Fund can divest from companies that are linked to this ongoing genocide.
“By passing this motion, Bristol City Council has the opportunity to add pressure to make it clear that divestment is an urgent priority. Whether this motion passes or falls, I will continue to look over all options and work with campaigners, other local authorities and the Avon Pension Fund to do whatever we can to make sure our investments are aligned with our values and in solidarity with the people of Gaza.”
The Avon Pension Fund has £6 billion in assets, which it invests for staff at over 450 employers, including the council, universities and schools. The fund’s committee is made up of councillors from different councils, and is administered by Bath and North East Somerset Council.
According to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the fund has invested almost £20 million in the arms trade and companies that are claimed to be profiting from illegal Israeli settlements. These include General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman.