PSN Targets Kiwisaver Providers Which SupportIsrael’s Brutal Oppression Of Palestinians

This week the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) released its long-awaited list of companies, 112 so far, complicit in the building and maintenance of illegal Israeli settlements on occupied land.

The UNHRC media release and link to the full report are here.

United Nations Security Council resolution 2334 of 2016 (co-sponsored by the New Zealand government) states that Israel's settlement activity constitutes a "flagrant violation" of international law and has "no legal validity".

There are no New Zealand-based companies on the list but many Kiwisaver funds are likely to have investments in some of these companies complicit in the abuse of Palestinian rights.

PSNA is encouraging New Zealanders to ask their Kiwisaver providers for an assurance they do not have investments in any of these companies. If they do have such investments, then they will be urged to divest immediately.

New Zealanders strongly support the Palestinian struggle for peace and freedom. This is one practical step we can all take to show our solidarity with Palestinians at a time when the Trump/Netanyahu “deal of the century” seeks to legitimise Palestinian oppression.

These companies should be boycotted by all humanity – that includes us and our Kiwisaver providers.

John Minto

National Chair

United Nations Human Rights Council list of companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements.

NOTE: The categories in the third column refer to the following:

(a) The supply of equipment and materials facilitating the construction and the expansion of settlements and the wall, and associated infrastructures;

(b) The supply of surveillance and identification equipment for settlements, the wall and checkpoints directly linked with settlements;

(c) The supply of equipment for the demolition of housing and property, the destruction of agricultural farms, greenhouses, olive groves and crops;

(d) The supply of security services, equipment and materials to enterprises operating in settlements;

(e) The provision of services and utilities supporting the maintenance and existence of settlements, including transport;

(f) Banking and financial operations helping to develop, expand or maintain settlements and their activities, including loans for housing and the development of businesses;

(g) The use of natural resources, in particular water and land, for business purposes;

(h) Pollution, and the dumping of waste in or its transfer to Palestinian villages;

(i) Captivity of the Palestinian financial and economic markets, as well as practices that disadvantage Palestinian enterprises, including through restrictions on movement, administrative and legal constraints;

(j) Use of benefits and reinvestments of enterprises owned totally or partially by settlers for developing, expanding and maintaining the settlements.

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