Local governments
Overview
Local government bodies such as municipal and regional councils play an important role in our political system.
Dozens of local authorities across Ireland, Norway, Spain, Sweden, France, the UK, Italy, Belgium and Australia have passed resolutions that support BDS or that pledge not to deal with specific companies targeted by the BDS movement. These decisions are powerful displays of solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality.
About
Local governments have a key role to play
Local government bodies such as municipal and regional councils play a key role in our political systems. They often have relationships with companies and institutions that help Israel to oppress Palestinians. Campaigning for local governments to take action in support of Palestinian rights is a vital way to build meaningful solidarity that reflects community values.
Several multinationals such as Veolia have ended their participation in Israel’s crimes after losing contracts and facing pressure from local government bodies. For more information on the specifics involved, check out Stop the Wall's resource Local Authorities In Support Of Palestinian Rights or click Find Out More.
Many local government bodies have investment and procurement relationships with companies that help Israel to violate Palestinian rights or twinning relationships with Israeli local government bodies that participate in Israeli violations of human rights. Local governments have an ethical responsibility and a legal obligation to break ties with companies and institutions that are involved in recognising, aiding or assisting Israeli violations of international law.
National governments are failing to hold Israel accountable or take steps that can help Palestinians realise their right to self-determination. This means that local governments, who have historically been an important part of upholding human rights and extending solidarity, have a vital role to play.
In December 2014, the Olive Declaration was published as the concluding document of the International Conference of Governments and Civil Society Organizations in Support of Palestinian Rights. It called on local governments and councils to adopt ethically responsible measures and to not give support to companies or institutions that help Israel to violate Palestinian rights.
Local government actions should reflect the values of the community they serve, including on human rights and Palestine- related issues. Public opinion is increasingly in support of Palestinian rights and local governments should reflect this in their policies, especially with regards to how public money is spent and invested.
Apartheid Free Zones is a new initiative that aims to build community support for the Palestinian struggle and for BDS.
In Spain, community activists are inviting shops, restaurants, community centres, businesses, trade unions and other civil society organisations to declare themselves to be an Apartheid Free Zone.
An organisation that wants to be an Apartheid Free Zone commits to supporting BDS, and boycotting Israeli products and institutions and to publicly declaring that it is an Apartheid Free Zone.
Local councils can support Apartheid Free Zone initiatives by passing a resolution and taking steps to end commercial relationships with companies and institutions that help Israel to violate international law.
In 2015, French corporation Veolia sold off its Israeli businesses including its role in the Jerusalem Light Rail, a tramway project built to help Israel connect up and expand its illegal settlements.
Veolia took this decision after local governments in countries across the world had taken the decision not to award it contracts because of its role in Israeli violations of international law. Veolia lost contracts worth at least $20bn.
Veolia’s withdrawal from Israel was a pivotal moment that showed how our movement is capable of holding corporations that aid and abet Israel’s human rights violations to account.
Similarly, G4S has moved to distance itself from its role in Israeli violations of human rights after a number of local government bodies boycotted it. Local councils are playing an absolutely vital role in promoting respect for human rights.
Latest news about the campaign
Impact
Local community organising is leading to local government bodies taking principled steps in support of Palestinian rights.
Milestones
Dozens of local governments have passed resolutions in support of BDS
Dozens of local councils across Ireland, Norway, Spain, Sweden, France, the UK, Italy, Belgium and Australia have passed resolutions that support BDS or that pledge not to deal with specific companies targeted by the BDS movement.
Ending corporate complicity
In 2015, French corporation Veolia sold off its Israeli businesses including its role in the illegal Jerusalem Light Rail project. This was a direct result of local governments across the world taking the decision not to award it contracts because of its role in Israeli violations of international law. Veolia lost contracts worth at least $20bn.
Take Action
Grassroots community organising has led to many local councils taking a powerful stand in support of Palestinian rights. Help us get the support of even more local government bodies.
Work to pass a resolution through your nearby local government
Are you an elected representative in a local government? Get in touch!
Research what links your local government has with Israel and complicit companies
The Who Profits website and the AFSC Investigate website both provide detailed information about companies involved in Israel’s regime of apartheid and settler -colonialism. In many countries, local governments are obliged under freedom of information laws to give information about which companies they invest in or buy services from.
Check out Stop the Wall's resource on local governments and Palestine solidarity
Check out Local Authorities In Support Of Palestinian Rights, a resource from Stop the Wall.