Yesterday’s statement from the current Mayor of Hackney regarding “the formal recognition of the state of Palestine and action on divestment” is full of warm words but light on action. Phrases like “explore the changes required,” “engage with,” and “build… into our framework” repeat the same non-committal language residents have heard for months. 

The Government’s announcement of recognition of the State of Palestine, and now this statement, have only happened because of the sustained pressure residents and campaigners have put on decision-makers. This includes Palestinian families in Hackney who have repeatedly pleaded for action, only to be met with delay, obstruction and blockages at every step. Despite the Labour administration knowing that their inaction and refusal to act decisively for nearly two years have provided cover for the genocide of the people of Palestine.

The Pensions Committee took place a couple of hours after the Mayor’s statement was published. We would have expected an acknowledgement and details of how the statement would be taken forward at this meeting. However, the Chair ignored the statement. Attempts made by Hackney Independent Socialist Group Councillor, Fliss Premru, to raise the statement were met with disdain and her microphone was even switched off. 

Councillor Premru said “Hackney’s Pensions committee is not transparent, has no collective agenda and I have been constantly shut down. Last night, the Labour Chair stated that the Pensions Committee was there to discuss investments, not divestments which shows this council is about words not actions.”

Last week at Full Council, the Greens and the Hackney Independent Socialist Group (HISG) pressed the Council to cut ties with companies and institutions complicit in Israel’s actions in Gaza and Labour voted not to hear the motion. We then formally called for an Extraordinary Full Council meeting to debate this urgently. 

Councillor Garbett said “Residents want to see their representatives taking all the action they can to end the genocide in Gaza and the council’s complicity in it. The current Mayor’s statement is progress but avoids concrete commitments and clear timelines.”

The Council must now go further and act:

• De-twin from Haifa – not “pause,” not “review,” but end Hackney’s twinning with Israel’s key military port and third largest city.
• Swiftly divest from arms companies like Elbit and other firms tied to and complicit in human rights abuses in Gaza and the West Bank – with a published list, a clear timetable, and a binding instruction to the Pensions Committee.
• Press the UK Government for a full arms embargo and an end to any cooperation facilitating genocide and apartheid, aligning Hackney’s position with recent UN findings.

These demands are set out in our Emergency Motion (below) – “Cut all council ties with Israel’s genocide in Gaza.” It references the 16 September 2025 UN Commission of Inquiry finding that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza; our legal duties under the Genocide Convention; and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s legal notice to councils outlining obligations to divest from companies enabling these crimes. In the coming weeks an extraordinary Full Council meeting should be held to discuss this motion in full.

What residents deserve now is action, not adjectives.

We invite the current Labour Mayor to support this motion in full and to publish, within 14 days, a dated, itemised divestment plan with clear enforcement measures and reporting milestones.

In solidarity 

Hackney Independent Socialist Group Councillors & Hackney Green Party

Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, Claudia Turbet-Delof, Fliss Premru, Liam Davis, Penny Wrout and Zoë Garbett

Emergency Motion: Cut all council ties with Israel’s genocide in Gaza

This Council notes:

• On 16th September 2025 United Nations commission of inquiry stated that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
• Hackney residents’ repeated calls and activism for justice, peace, and an immediate ceasefire.
• Our existing commitments to ethical investment and community cohesion, and our legal obligations as a state body under Article I of the Genocide Convention to prevent genocide and not to commit genocide.
• Legal notice issued by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign in September 2025 regarding our legal obligations to divest from companies enabling and profiting from Israel’s genocide, military occupation and apartheid against Palestinians.

This Council resolves to:

1. To follow commitments from councils’ including Cumberland, Kingston, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Islington and instruct the Pensions Committee to immediately begin the process of local divestment from companies profiting from Israel’s genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank.
2. Immediately end Hackney’s twinning arrangements with the key military port city Haifa.
3. Write to the UK Government demanding it act on the UN’s findings, including ending any and all arms sales to Israel, military intelligence gathering for Israel and training cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces.