Thread by @PSCupdates

1/ MPs today debated a pensions bill with a dangerous amendment proposed by discredited ex-Minister Robert Jenrick MP. Unfortunately the amendment was carried, with potentially serious impact on struggles for human rights and climate justice. Our briefing: palestinecampaign.org/briefing-note-…

2/ Jenrick’s amendment may be weaponised against those raising concerns about pension investments in companies involved in human rights abuse and environmental abuse. It seeks to prevent local authorities from exercising their legal right to make ethical investment choices.

3/ For example: it could force them to remain invested in companies involved in illegal settlements in occupied Palestine or Western Sahara; firms implicated in the oppression of Uyghur communities in China; those selling arms used in military attacks on civilians in Yemen.

4/ It’s not the first time anti-BDS policy has been proposed in the UK. Last time, PSC took the government to court - and we won!

The Supreme Court ruled on the exact issue that is being discussed. Jenrick’s amendment seeks to overturn that decision.

theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

5/ Others have also raised concern about Jenrick’s amendment: @amnesty & @hrw have both warned of the chilling effect it could have on local authorities making investment decisions.

Here's Amnesty's briefing: amnesty.org.uk/files/2022-02/…

6/ The broader context is important: Jenrick has proposed the amendment as a blunt tool to attack Palestinian rights, boasting to the press about how he wants to outlaw BDS. This is a nasty enough objective, but who else will he take down in his anti-Palestinian rampage?

7/ References have been made to the government’s intention to introduce legislation against BDS in the coming months. Similar to this amendment, the implications will be devastating for Palestinian rights and well beyond. We wrote about it here: jacobinmag.com/2022/02/uk-ant…

8/ The level of disinformation coming from MPs about BDS is truly alarming. BDS is a set of time-honoured campaigning tactics, rooted in universal principles of accountability and justice, used by human rights & climate justice campaigners around the world, throughout history.

9/ While the govt is trumpeting its opposition to illegal occupations and support for int law its support for Jenrick’s amendment exposes the hollow rhetoric.

The UK govt & all public authorities must stand against military occupation and human rights abuses everywhere.

10/ Jenrick’s amendment is designed, above all, to make public bodies fearful acting in accordance with international law, if that action supports the rights of Palestinians.

11/ This is despite the UK Government's own position that Israel is in violation of international law. Pension schemes should divest from companies involved in illegal activity, and are legally entitled to do so.

12/ We at Palestine Solidarity Campaign will challenge any attempt to use this amendment to prevent pension schemes making ethical investment decisions.

We won at the Supreme Court before, and will win again.