I have watched with horror the unfolding violence in Israel and Palestine, from the abhorrent attack by Hamas on 7 October, to the devastating Israeli bombardment of Gaza that has followed. The hostilities have led to an unconscionable level of hunger, death and destruction and continued fear for hostages; as well as serious alleged breaches of international law.
I know families in Hackney who were bereaved in the most horrific way on 7 October. And I have since then met residents who have lost tens and in one case in excess of one hundred friends and family members in Gaza.
I am so deeply sorry for this suffering and want nothing more than to see it come to an end. I have spoken to many residents informally since the attack in October, responded more formally to questions brought to meetings of full council, where we have also passed a ceasefire motion, and will continue to engage with local residents and community representatives.
I will also continue to work with colleagues to bring cohesion and to ensure that Hackney is no place for hate. The relationship with Haifa in Israel is a civic one dating back to The Council does not have an active role in managing the links; they are self-sustaining based on the community connections that have built up over many years.
Responsibility for the pensions fund, which pays the pensions of retired key workers, sits with Hackney Pensions Committee, which has a legal duty to ensure the pension fund generates sufficient returns to keep paying these benefits. Its investments are in standard pooled funds, where the Pension Fund does not hold direct stock in any company. These indirect investments in companies active in Israeli settlements represent about 0.
