People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin has said Council divestment from British banks which are complicit with genocide in Gaza must be a catalyst for further action.
Said “Divestment by Derry City and Strabane District Council from British banks including Barclay’s and financial institutions complicit with apartheid, occupation and genocide of the Palestinian people is an opportunity to rachet up action Israel.
“This can be an immediate catalyst for all Council’s across these islands, for Stormont and the Dáil to sanction Israel and those complicit with it.
“Israel has slaughtered more than 50,000 Palestinians in Gaza, with the real number likely to be much greater, and a majority of those killed are women and children.
“Israel and its powerful allies ignore criticism and international court rulings that have found it guilty of war crimes, illegal occupation and starvation.
“The Council has supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel for many years, but there has been political resistance to going beyond symbolic solidarity.
“Some are more concerned with ensuring the Council has an ‘open for business’ sign above the Guildhall than taking action that will punish Israel and make it a pariah state.
“Powerful international states, corporate institutions and wealthy elites in Ireland and globally support Israel and profit from its crimes against Palestinians and humanity.
“This is no time for business as usual. We cannot allow fear of their response to paralyse resistance and solidarity.
“We commend the campaign groups who have relentlessly demanded the Council turn words into deeds. The Council’s divestment would not have happened without their efforts.
“The Council must go further with the implementation of our Ethical Procurement Policy and boycott campaign.
“Given what’s happening in Gaza, it’s urgent we continue to build people power pressure on the British government, the Irish government and Stormont Executive to sanction Israel in everyway possible.
“There should be no military support, no economic support, no political support and no normalisation of the Israeli state and its genocidal actions.
“The people of Gaza must have full access to food, water, medical supplies and all the means of supporting life. Israeli forces should immediately leave Gaza and the West Bank.
“Palestinians must have the right to self-determination and return. “
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