A local government pension fund in Britain has announced plans to consider divesting up to £22 million “as soon as possible” following concerns raised by activists that the investments are tied to companies profiting from violations of international law in Palestine.

The Avon Pension Fund, one of the UK’s largest, manages £6 billion for over 140,000 members from 450 employers. Activists revealed that £10 million of this amount is invested in arms companies supplying weapons used in Israel’s war of extermination on Gaza, while a further £12 million is linked to companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

During a committee meeting at the Keynsham Civic Centre, activists delivered strong interventions, urging the fund to take immediate action. Committee chair Nick Dixon, quoted by The Bath Echo, confirmed that work is already underway to determine the necessary steps. “This work will take a few weeks, and we will discuss it at a special meeting early next year to make a final decision,” he said.

The meeting saw significant participation from activists waving Palestinian flags and holding banners calling for an end to investments in companies accused of human rights violations.

Activist Jane Sampson highlighted investments in arms manufacturers such as Boeing and BAE Systems, describing their role in supplying weapons for attacks on Gaza as “deeply disturbing.” Faye Braford, another activist, shared her encounter with a medical student from Gaza who risks his life daily under Israeli bombardment, stating that such investments make the fund “complicit” in these violations.

Committee member Paul Crossley acknowledged the urgency of addressing these concerns but noted that the process could be complex due to the structure of current investments. He explained that while the fund focuses on environmental and economic criteria, it indirectly includes defence companies through broader investment funds.

At the conclusion of the meeting, activists welcomed what they viewed as a positive response from the committee but stressed their determination to ensure the withdrawal of investments in alignment with humanitarian principles and international law.