Pro-Palestine activists have grilled Bracknell council over its pensions fund being used to ‘support genocide’.
Pro-Palestine activists have challenged Bracknell council over its pensions fund, claiming it supports ‘genocide’.
Bracknell Forest Council staff and other public sector workers have their pensions funded through the Berkshire Pension Fund, managed by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM).
The East Berkshire Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) is urging the fund to divest from companies linked to Israel, following commitments from 17 councils to withdraw investments tied to alleged violations of international law.
During a full council meeting, PSC member Yvonne Hope stated: “Many councils have heeded warnings from experts in international law and are committing to divest from companies profiting from the illegal occupation of Palestinian land and the ongoing genocide. To that end, could this council consider tabling a motion to the fund to support those statements as other councils are already doing?”
Councillor Stephen O'Regan (Labour, Binfield South & Jennett's Park), who represents the council on the pension fund advisory panel, was absent. Council leader Mary Temperton addressed the meeting on his behalf, indicating that O'Regan had conducted extensive research on the fund.
A written response noted that the fund employs asset manager LPPI, which monitors investments against a UN list of companies involved with settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). Currently, the fund has exposure to just one company on this list, making up approximately 0.8% of its assets.
Sue Sibany-King, the branch secretary of the East Berkshire PSC, responded, stating: “That’s only a subset of companies complicit in Israel’s crimes. It doesn’t include firms supplying Israel with weapons and military technology. The Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) has a more comprehensive list, showing significant financial support for the ongoing genocide.”
She also questioned whether Cllr O'Regan would push for full divestment from arms companies. Cllr Temperton assured that O'Regan would be asked to address these concerns with the fund, reiterating that the information shared was provided by the fund itself.
The meeting took place on September 10.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
