Somerville City Council Delays Divestment Vote, Develops Ban Criteria
- Reports
- 2
- Developments
- 1
- Repetition
- 50%
New informationRepeats or wire copies
What happened
Lawmakers in Somerville, Massachusetts, delayed action on an Israeli divestment proposal to allow for research into the financial impact and criteria for banning businesses. Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen is developing criteria for the draft ordinance, which targets companies demonstrating “direct, ongoing and knowing activity” in international humanitarian crimes, including in Israel and Palestine.
Why it matters
The ordinance criteria are being based on findings from the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. This local action is part of a larger discussion regarding divestment from entities involved in Israel.
A city council plans to discuss divestment from entities involved in Israel.
Who's involved
- city councilLegislative body developing the ordinance and discussing divestment.
- International Criminal CourtInternational tribunal whose findings are informing the ordinance criteria.
- Mandatory PalestineGeopolitical context referenced in the ordinance's criteria.
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The entities involved
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Mandatory Palestine
League of Nations Mandate in the Middle East under British administration (1920–1948)
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city council
legislative body that governs a city, municipality or local government area
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International Criminal Court
intergovernmental organization and international tribunal
Related events
- The ICC issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, while also addressing documented atrocities in Iran and calling for investigation into Hamas actions.
- The ICC issued arrest warrants for alleged crimes against humanity while a genocide case against Israel is pending at the ICJ.
- Andreas Malm's views on Palestine are cited as a cause, aligning with ICC commissions, and he is scheduled to speak with Huda Ammori.