This year marked the third anniversary of the October 7 attack in 2023, when Palestinian armed militants invaded southern Israel.
On that day, 1,195 Israelis were killed, of whom 828 were civilians and 367 were armed forces personnel.
It was the biggest flare-up of the Israel-Palestine conflict in years, initiating a military response by Israeli armed forces that has led to tens of thousands of deaths on both sides.
Despite a vaunted ceasefire negotiated in October last year, a further 1,493 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the conflict.
Locally, the East Berkshire Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) unearthed information that the pension fund had investments in companies that have products that were alleged to have been used by Israeli security forces.
These companies were GE Aerospace, Safran and BAE Systems.
Yvonne Hope, a representative of the campaign, has urged the Reading council to ensure the fund has divested from weapons manufacturers.
Yvonne Hope, wearing a keffiyeh, from the East Berkshire Palestine Solidarity Campaign, speaks at a full meeting of Reading Borough Council on October 13. (Image: Reading Borough Council)
She said: “The council’s pension funds are invested through the Berkshire Pension Fund and Local Pensions Partnership Investments (LPPI), a collective covering many local authorities.
“LPPI has investments in companies supplying arms to Israel.
“Israel continues fighting in Gaza and Lebanon and is displacing the population of the occupied West Bank. It is committing serious war crimes.
“We acknowledge that this council has to get the agreement of the other Berkshire councils and work through LPPI.
“However, LPPI has adopted ethical policies, including that it observes
responsibilities under UN Global Principles and Human Rights.
“Our question is: What steps has the council taken to get the pension fund to divest from the arms suppliers?”
It was answered by Liz Terry, the council leader, who noted that the fund supplies pensions for council workers across the six Berkshire authorities, as well as education staff.
She also acknowledged a ban on trade in goods and services from illegal settlements in the West Bank implemented by Labour foreign secretary Ed Miliband that is due to take effect in the coming months.
Cllr Terry (Labour, Coley) said: “I recognise that many residents and pension fund scheme members have strong views about investments connected with conflict-affected areas, including Gaza.
“As we know, the UK government has announced a package of measures relating to settlement activity in the West Bank, including sanctions designations under its existing sanctions regime and proposals for additional measures.
“LPPI will comply fully with all applicable UK sanctions. This is consistent with existing policies and processes, which already require compliance with relevant sanctions regimes and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
“The council believes the current commitments made and the active and ongoing work to consider the fund’s investment strategies are appropriate and sufficient to remain a responsible investor whilst ensuring the fund can meet the current and future pension costs of its members.”
The exchange took place at the full council meeting on October 13.
Cllr Glenn Dennis (Labour, Kentwood) is the Reading representative on the Berkshire Pension Fund Advisory Panel, which is hosted by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.