Every penny you save in a pension fund, every dollar that makes up your retirement nest egg, has a story. But, often, we don’t ask, ‘where is our pension money coming from?’ Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on a controversial issue that many might not be aware of – the ethics of investment practices, particularly concerning Israeli Bonds.

Israeli Bonds: High Security to Junk Level Stocks

Israeli Bonds have traditionally been viewed as secure investments. However, as noted by one of the meeting participants, these bonds have recently slipped to junk level stocks. This shift is primarily due to their negative impact on Palestine, and groups like BDS and AFSC are advocating for increased awareness of these issues.

The Unseen Impact of Investments

As Carlo, a meeting attendee, pointed out, ‘usually companies that are bad for Palestine are bad in general.’ This includes poor working conditions, harmful environmental practices, and questionable policies. The ethical implications of these investments stretch beyond the borders of Palestine, impacting the global community.

Looking at the UK’s LGPS

Let’s take a closer look at the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) in the UK, which currently has 6 million members and 81 different pension pools. In an alarming revelation, it was found that LGPS invested $250 million USD in Israeli bonds, accounting for 5% of the 2024 Israeli Bonds, raising serious ethical questions.

The Role of Speaking Up

Animah Kosai, a lawyer turned activist, based in Nottingham, UK, is focused on encouraging people to speak up about such issues. She emphasizes the power of voice in transforming business practices and creating spaces that respect human rights and ethical considerations.

Conclusion

Investment practices are more than just a means to grow wealth. They have far-reaching implications that can influence societal structures and human rights. It’s time we all start asking ‘where is our pension money coming from?’ and demand ethical investment practices.

Resources

• <a href=’Tech”>https://updates.techforpalestine.org/israel-and-big-tech/’>Tech for Palestine
• <a href=’DAWN’s”>https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250224110808/en/DAWN-calls-on-International-Criminal-Court-to-Investigate-Biden-administration-for-Aiding-and-Abetting-Israeli-Crimes-in-Gaza’>DAWN’s Call to International Criminal Court
• <a href=’Animah”>https://animahkosai.com/’>Animah Kosai’s Website
• <a href=’CPPdivest”>https://www.justpeaceadvocates.ca/tag/cppdivest/’>CPPdivest – Just Peace Advocates
• <a href=’World’s”>https://www.mypalmbeachclerk.com/Home/Components/News/News/712/16′>World’s Largest Investor in Israel Bonds
• <a href=’Americans”>https://ministryofwoke.com/2024/04/18/americans-please-divest-from-war-stocks/’>Americans – Please Divest From War Stocks
• <a href=’Divesting”>https://afsc.org/divest’>Divesting for Palestinian Rights

On one seemingly average March day, a group of passionate advocates gathered for a meeting that was anything but ordinary. The Internationalist Law Center, led by Lydia Ghuman and Sunny Osment, shared bold strategies to challenge unjust financial practices that fuel the occupation of Palestine. Their goal? To make a global impact from their base in Florida.

Breaking the Bonds: A Florida Story

The Internationalist Law Center, born from the Break the Bonds South Florida campaign, is spearheading litigation against Palm Beach County, the world’s largest investor in Israeli bonds. The case argues that the county’s $700 million investment of taxpayer money in these bonds is not just unethical, but also illegal. When the money is returned to the County’s funds in three years with interest, the group believes it should be reinvested to serve local needs.

‘If Israel bonds were abolished, the occupation would fall within 18 months, according to themselves directly.’ – Meeting Participant

Shining a Light on Financial Injustice

The Israeli bonds, according to the group, are used by Israel to fund weapons purchases. The group believes that if these bonds were abolished, the occupation of Palestine would crumble within 18 months. The lawsuit aims to give constituents a say in how their tax dollars should be invested, rather than leaving it to lawmakers and their friends.

A Three-Pronged Strategy

Legal action isn’t the only tool the Internationalist Law Center is using. They’re also leveraging community organizing and public advocacy to achieve their goals. They believe that public pressure is vital to encourage the judge to rule in favor of the lawsuit, drawing parallels to the Roe vs Wade case which succeeded due to public support, despite a weak legal argument.

With Lydia, Sunny, and another organizer dedicating their full time to this cause from September, the group is determined to make Israel bonds illegal worldwide.

A Global Call to Action

During their meeting, participants from various backgrounds chimed in, sharing experiences, asking questions, and offering resources. From finding similar investments in Canada to submitting Freedom of Information requests at all levels of government, the attendees were eager to amplify the impact of the Internationalist Law Center’s work.

‘We are making great connections here. The investments are being made for political/ideological reasons. Israel has had to promise higher returns because of their junk bond status. Public funds are clearly being invested in a risky manner.’ – Adil, Meeting Participant

With so much passion, dedication, and strategic action, the Internationalist Law Center is well on its way to achieving its audacious goals. And they’re calling on advocates worldwide to join them in making a difference.

Resources

• <a href=’Fundraiser”>https://www.gofundme.com/f/4ruvj?attribution_id=sl:783e6fa8-b9a0-4638-b742-ba0d71ef6183&utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link’>Fundraiser by Joanna Ruth Berry
• <a href=’The”>https://the-wall.win/’>The Wall addon
• <a href=’Instagram”>https://www.instagram.com/p/DHE301HInej/?igsh=MW9mNWw0Zmk3MWtycg%3D%3D’>Instagram Post from @Findaprotest
• <a href=’LinkedIn”>https://www.linkedin.com/posts/salmannaqvi_back-by-popular-demand-the-talking-about-activity-7306286317657604097-07aI/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAFlylQB9qW0I9St7Hw9klknnN7n4NYpJ68′>LinkedIn Post from AngryandFearless
• <a href=’Automate”>https://github.com/main-salman/auto-linkedin’>Automate your LinkedIn posts with auto-linkedin
• <a href=’Internationalist”>https://www.internationalistlawcenter.org/’>Internationalist Law Center

Palestinians were forcibly removed, massacred, and ethnically cleansed out of what makes up most of modern Israel today. They continue to live under Israeli oppression, with no control over their borders, water supply, radio space, air space, and continue to face mass punishment for the last several decades.

Kashmiri Pandits were forcibly removed, massacred, and ethnically cleansed out of many parts of Kashmir where they had lived for many generations before. Injustices done against them should not be used to justify oppression and anti-democratic practices against the entire Kashmiri population.

Injustices were done against both groups, Palestinians and Kashmiri Pandits, at a massive scale.

Both Palestinians and Kashmiri Pandits have the right to return and go back to the homes that were violently taken away from them.

If you support right of return of Palestinians, then by extension, you are also morally obligated to support right of return of the Kashmiri Pandits.

If you support right of return of Kashmiri Pandits, then by extension, you are also morally obligated to support right of return of the Palestinians.

Both groups of oppressed people were kicked out by religious extremists – one driven by extreme Jewish/Christian ideology, and the other driven by extreme Muslim ideology. Now yet another religious extremist, Hindutva ideology, is further being used to oppress Kashmiris.

Peace and justice is only possible without oppression. Start with rights of return of all the oppressed people – including Palestinians and Kashmiri Pandits.