County Hall Questioned Over Pension Fund Investments "Potentially Complicit" In "Israeli War Crimes"

An Island pro-Palestine activist has voiced concern over Isle of Wight Council pension fund investments “potentially complicit” in “Israeli war crimes”.

Marilyn Barrett from the newly formed Isle of Wight branch of the nationwide Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) questioned pension fund committee chair Cllr Chris Jarman at Wednesday evening’s full council meeting.

The probe follows Isle of Wight PSC’s first public meeting at Newport’s Unitarian Hall earlier this summer, attended by Green Party county councillor Joe Lever and Unison trade unionist Mark Chiverton.

In February, PSC published what it described as ‘investments of 81 Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds in companies complicit in Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights’ on its website, following Freedom of Information requests.

The organisation said it had identified ‘£31,856,457’ of ‘complicit’ Isle of Wight Pension Fund investments.

Ms Barrett said:

“What percentage of the total investing monies not required for payment benefits, transfers and administrative costs is the £31,856,457, as was highlighted on the PSC database, that was invested in potentially complicit Israeli war crimes?”

Cllr Jarman thanked Ms Barrett for her question and responded:

“Firstly, we do not accept the figure which has been quoted – it has been examined a number of times – and the matter is coming up at the next meeting of the pension committee.

“Following that, we’ll be able to give a written answer when we have an up-to-date breakdown of the information.”

The pension fund committee will next meet at County Hall on July 29 at 2pm.