More than 1,000 councillors across England have pledged support for Palestinian rights ahead of the upcoming May local elections, as campaigners seek to make Palestine a key electoral issue, reports Anadolu.
The Councillor Pledge for Palestine, launched in December by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and supported by the Vote Palestine 2026 coalition, commits elected representatives to uphold Palestinian rights and ensure their local councils are not complicit in Israel’s alleged violations of international law. The pledge includes calls for divesting council pension funds from companies linked to such violations.
According to PSC data, 31 councils have already passed motions or issued statements backing pension fund divestment. The group claims 46% of voters support the move, compared to 14% who oppose it.
“The mass movement for Palestine – which has brought millions onto Britain’s streets – is not going away,” said Dan Iley-Williamson, PSC’s political organiser. “Vote Palestine will take our demands into the May elections and deliver a message to those seeking office: if you want our votes, stand up for Palestine.”
Of the 1,028 councillors who have signed the pledge so far, 345 are from the Green Party of England and Wales, 338 from the Labour Party, 104 from the Liberal Democrats, and three from the Conservative Party. Additional signatories include members of the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru.