Decision - Gaza and Council Financial Exposure

Notice of Motion This Council noted: 1) The welcome news that a peace plan has been agreed in the Middle East ensuring the release of all remaining hostages and for life-saving aid to reach Gaza. 2) The widespread view, including of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) 1 on 31/08/25 and a UN Independent Commission 2 on 16/09/25, that the Israeli Government has been committing genocide in Gaza; 3) That recent legal analysis has raised concerns that third-party states, including the UK, must ensure their activities do not contribute to violations of international law; 4) That this analysis has further suggested these responsibilities apply to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and other local government activities under domestic law; 3 5) The recent letter from our Council Leader to the Chair of the ESCC Pension Committee requesting an update further to report A/HRC/37/39 of the UN Human Rights Council and East Sussex Pension Fund (ESPF) exposure; This council therefore resolved to: 1) Request officers to bring a report to Cabinet detailing any exposure of ESPF, of our treasury management and of our freehold landholdings to 'involved companies 3 '; 2) Notify other local authorities who may have exposure via the East Sussex Pension Fund of the letter from the Leader of the Council and request that they seek the same information

The motion raises concerns about whether the East Sussex Pension Fund, the council’s treasury management and its freehold landholdings may be exposed to companies involved in alleged violations of international law in Gaza. It asks for a report on any such exposure and for the council to write to the Secretary of State and notify other affected local authorities.