DayofPal—More than 1,000 UK councillors have signed a pledge supporting Palestinian rights ahead of the May local elections.
They urge councils to divest from Israeli weapons manufacturers and oppose Israel’s ongoing crimes of genocide and apartheid.
The initiative, launched by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in December, is backed by grassroots groups including Vote Palestine, the Palestinian Youth Movement Britain, and the British Palestinian Committee.
It aims to pressure councils to adopt policies aligned with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, particularly divestment of Local Government Pension Scheme funds from companies complicit in Israeli war crimes.
Signatories include councillors from the Green Party, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Scottish parties, and independents, with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn endorsing the campaign.
Corbyn urged voters to prioritize candidates committed to standing against Israel’s assault in Gaza and the West Bank.
Campaigners cite broad public support for divestment, drawing parallels to the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s
“The mass movement for Palestine—mobilizing millions on UK streets—is not going away,” said Dan Iley-Williamson, organiser at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
“Vote Palestine will ensure candidates recognize Palestinians’ rights before earning votes.”
The pledge has also gained attention in traditionally Labour-dominated areas such as Hackney, where councillors from multiple parties have committed to the initiative, reflecting growing political pressure on mainstream UK parties to address Israel’s systematic attacks on Palestinians.
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