Local council elections present a significant opportunity for our solidarity movement. Electing pro-Palestinian councillors will give our movement the power to pass resolutions condemning Israel’s genocidal war on Palestine, ensure council prioritises human rights, and opposes human rights abuses and war crimes. Councils have the power to update their procurement and investment policies to align with ethical standards, including divesting from companies that support or profit from Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. By taking these actions, councils can drive change and bolster support for the solidarity movement at both state and federal levels.

[–] zero_gravitas 5 points 1 month ago

I don't think Israel makes wheelie bins, but yeah, procurement is certainly an area councillors can take action in. Another is council investments.

The City of Sydney is currently undertaking an audit of their suppliers and investments: https://archive.is/J5aMS

I think it's also the role of councillors to be a voice for their communities and to lobby higher levels of government, especially when state and federal governments have failed to take any practical action.

There's a list of action pledges on that website that the campaign is asking candidates to respond to, which contain some details and reasons:

CEASEFIRE ADVOCACY - To support an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza/Palestine, and advocate for all levels of government to apply pressure on Israel to achieve this.

INTERNATIONAL LAW & OBLIGATIONS - To support the United Nations, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the International Criminal Court (ICC), and to agree that, under international law and our obligations to prevent genocide, we should not send weapons to a state plausibly committing genocide, and to vote in support of a weapons embargo to Israel should you get the opportunity.

CEASEFIRE MOTION - To call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza (Palestine), including through a council motion to prevent further loss of life.

DIVESTMENT FROM APARTHEID ISRAEL - To support a motion and vote for full disclosure and divestment of Council's financial ties to Israel in the context of its illegal occupation and apartheid, and military assault on Gaza.

SUPPORT FOR PALESTINIAN REFUGEES - To support and vote for motions that concern the provision of Council funds, resources and programs to assist Palestinians in our community who have been forced from their homelands (for example counseling, housing, food relief, English language classes, and cultural immersion support).

SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIPS - To create sister city relationships with Gaza, including through forming symbolic and practical links with civic organisations that are helping to rebuild Gaza's infrastructure and society.