Oxford City Council Votes to Divest from Israel Amid Gaza Genocide Accusations

Watan-Members of the Oxford City Council in the UK have voted in favor of a resolution to divest from Israel—an action welcomed by many British activists and city residents in light of the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip. The decision came during a council session held on Monday, where members unanimously voted for a proposal on “ethical investment and procurement,” addressing the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza, as well as climate degradation issues.

The proposal cited international legal rulings and called for a “commitment to human rights and international law,” and to “avoid complicity in Israel’s occupation of Palestine.” It also called for action against companies complicit in climate destruction. The successful proposal came from a group of independent council members who had previously represented the Labour Party but withdrew over its support for Israeli war crimes, and followed numerous local campaigns urging the council to divest from companies and institutions investing in Israel.

The proposal called for policy reviews within Oxford Council to ensure it does not deliberately invest in or engage in business with entities involved in “prohibited activities,” including “war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide,” as well as “fossil fuel extraction” and “arms manufacturing.” Barbara Coyne, who introduced the proposal, said in a press statement following its adoption: “I hope this proposal is fully implemented and that its passage paves the way for other councils to take decisive action.”

Growing Local Support and Financial Accountability

Husna Jafari Marbini also supported the proposal and stated: “We hope this proposal will encourage local businesses and institutions to follow suit and strengthen a UK-wide movement to end local trade and investment ties with Israel, while the Labour Party leadership and our government continue their complicity in war crimes.” Dozens of Oxford residents stood in a silent protest outside the council building, holding signs reading “Divest Now” and “Not In Our Name.”

The council currently does business with Barclays Bank, which raises tens of billions in financing for oil and gas companies, and has provided investments, loans, and other financial services to companies that supply weapons, components, and military technology used by Israel in its attacks on Palestinians and their lands, according to reports by human rights organizations. According to the adopted proposal, Oxford City Council will commit to establishing policies that ensure it is not linked to companies or entities involved in violations of international law. In this context, the council must take steps to replace its banking contract with Barclays.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced today, Wednesday, that 39 martyrs and 124 injured people arrived at hospitals in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours. It noted that the toll of martyrs and injuries since March 18, 2025, has reached 830 martyrs and 1,787 injuries, bringing the total number of victims of the Israeli assault to 50,183 martyrs and 113,828 injuries since October 7, 2023.