Oxford City Council passed a motion on 24th March in support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. The motion, which cited International Court of Justice (ICJ) rulings, passed with a unanimous vote by councillors across multiple political parties.
The motion called for “strengthening” the Council’s “ethical procurement and investment policies” to “reaffirm” its “commitment to human rights and international law”, as well as diverting funds from companies prolonging the use of fossil fuels.
Councillor Barbara Coyne, who proposed the motion said: “It is vital, in this moment, that Oxford City Council act to uphold international law and end local complicity in colonial genocide”.
On the evening of the vote, dozens of protestors gathered outside the Town Hall on St Aldate’s to hold a silent vigil in support of the motion, holding signs reading “Divest now” and “Not in our name”.
The BDS movement, founded in 2005, works to “end international support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians” through non-violently pressuring Israel to comply with its obligations under international law.
The motion cites ICJ rulings which underline UN member states’ obligation to actively avoid complicity in Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.The motion further emphasises that international legal norms that apply to states extend to local authorities.
Councillor Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini, the seconder of the motion, said: “We have put forward this motion as we hear all those Oxford residents who have demonstrated, expressed disgust at the Israeli war crimes and boycotted Israeli goods.”
The decision comes after Oxford City Council’s unanimous vote for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza in November 2023, and the Council’s decision last year to oppose the Anti-Boycott Bill.
The timeline for concrete changes by the council remains uncertain, as do any potential bureaucratic obstacles. However, Councillor Coyne remains optimistic, expressing hope that the motion “will be thoroughly implemented, and that its passage may pave the way for other councils to take decisive action.”
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