An emergency council motion to break away from Israeli government bonds on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks has been labelled as “grandstanding” and “disrespectful” by unionists.
A majority vote at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) on Monday night (October 7) has called on the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC) to sell Israeli bonds after it was discovered they were being bought by pension contributions of public sector workers.
The regional public sector workers’ pension scheme has some 176,000 members, including more than 450 councillors.
Newry SDLP rep, Killian Feehan brought the motion forward saying: “This council notes that Northern Ireland Local Government pension provider NILGOSC purchased government bonds from the Israeli government, which are being used by the Tel Aviv administration to fund its operations both within Israel and other territories.
“As the pension provider for all local council workers, the Education Authority, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, NI Libraries and many others including schools, it is a shock to many of the 176,000 members of this pension scheme that it is directly funding the Netanyahu-led government.
“Given the widespread horror felt by people of all political backgrounds at the targeting of civilians and children by the Israeli government in the war in Gaza the use of workers’ and public sector money in a loan to the Israeli government is unacceptable.
“NMDDC expresses its deep concern at the decision to purchase these bonds and calls on NILGOSC to dispose of them immediately and engage with pension holders about disposal of the bonds and work to develop an ethical investments framework to consider for all future investments.”
Unionists in the chamber all voted against the motion.
Slieve Gullion UUP rep, David Taylor said: “One thing that did strike me when I saw this motion coming before the meeting tonight, was the fact that it was taking place on the anniversary when thousands of Israelis are mourning and remembering their loved ones who were massacred, murdered and maimed by Hamas terrorists on this day one year ago.
“I do wonder if there was any thought given to that when this was being brought forward?”
Rowallane DUP cllr, Jonathan Jackson added: “I want to reiterate how disappointing and downright disrespectful it is to be bringing this motion tonight on the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks upon Israel and the heinous crimes that were committed on that day.
“It is pure grandstanding at its finest. The NILGOSC is under a duty not to invest or divest for political reasons and this small holding of Israeli government bonds represents less than 0.007% of the total fund.
“Disposing of these investments purely out of a hate of Israel would not even be legal. Furthermore it could generate significant uncertainty of the pension scheme.”
Mournes DUP rep, Henry Reilly said that the killing of innocent children on both sides “breaks my heart…and I just wish it would all stop”.
The debate grew heated with verbal exchanges between councillors, but they could not be heard on microphone system
The chamber was told by Downpatrick cllr Gareth Sharvin SDLP that the motion had been brought forward at the first opportunity after the link to the Israel bonds and councillors’ pensions was made.
In summary, Cllr Feehan said: “I want to make something entirely crystal clear for the avoidance of doubt or confusion or ambiguity in the future.
“The Hamas attacks on Oct 7 were unspeakably wicked, vile, cruel and entirely evil.
“There have been things said here that I take issue with, chief amongst them is that I am grandstanding on this issue.
“That’s a bit below the belt. This is not an issue where I am an armchair activist. I have spent six summers volunteering on the West Bank with Palestinian people. These are not characters on a TV screen, they are not abstract notions or statistics after the 10 O’Clock news.
“These are people that I know and care about, some of them I have known since they were children. I have sat down in their homes and broken bread with them. I have contact with them almost every day, not just because we are friends, but because I am concerned about their safety.
“The suggestion that I am grandstanding is totally and utterly detached from the truth.”
Councillors from the SDLP, Sinn Féin, Alliance and one independent carried the motion.
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