The campaign for local government to join the movement for Palestine is growing. Some 44 local government solidarity groups have joined the (WVFP) campaign, which is urging candidates in New South Wales and Victoria to sign the pledge supporting an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
The campaign believes council elections present an opportunity for solidarity because “electing pro-Palestinian councillors will give our movement the power to pass resolutions condemning Israel’s genocidal war on Palestine, ensure council prioritises human rights and opposes human rights abuses and war crimes”.
It also says councils can help by updating their procurement and investment policies to align with ethical standards, including divesting from companies that support or profit from Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.
Campaign coordinator Subhi Awad said he was “heartened” by councils that have passed ceasefire motions over the past 11 months, adding that “some have started to review their purchasing and investment policies”.
“There is so much that local government can do, which is why we came up with the Candidate Pledge for Palestine.”
The candidate pledge in NSW asks for: a commitment to ceasefire action; support for international humanitarian law; divesting from companies that fund Israel; and supporting Palestinians fleeing violence.
Voters can go to the to check which candidates in their area have pledged, and ask candidates to sign up.
Independent Byron Shire Councillor Cate Coorey said while some argue wars are not a local government issue, “when higher levels of government fail to do the right thing, it is us, the local, grassroots communities who must stand up”.
As of September 11, more than 4000 emails have been sent to local government candidates requesting they take the WVFP pledge. Just 130 have signed up.
Awad said he would like more candidates to sign on. “This broad alliance of Palestine action and advocacy groups is the first chance we’ve had since Israel commenced its full-scale attack on Palestine last year. It sends a message to the government as they prepare for a federal election next year.”
The WVFP campaign in Victoria will be rolled out later this month.
Michelle Berkon, from Jews Against the Occupation ’48, said: “We want candidates at all levels of government who are prepared to act for humanity, who will do what they can to ensure that our country upholds international law.
“In my community it is clear that people are thinking about who has taken the Candidate Pledge when deciding their vote.”
Kaat DeMaere, from Central West NSW for Palestine, said: “We want councillors who understand that they can fulfill their responsibilities to routine council business and at the same time have an impact at a broader scale through things like investing ethically.”
Jessica Mamone, Islam-West relations academic at Griffith University, said councils have long weighed in on more than roads, rates and rubbish. They have declared a climate emergency and supported marriage equality, Julian Assange’s freedom and an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“They are a key tool to lobby state and federal governments about issues that their constituents care deeply about. Why should Palestine be off limits?”
She said the “potential impact councils can have should not be underestimated”, pointing to the international campaign against Apartheid in South Africa as one example.
Alison Harwood, from No Weapons for Genocide in the Hunter Region, said: “We would love to see more candidates taking a principled stand. We know that if a candidate cares about human rights, they care about community too.”
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