Conference

2020 National Black Members' Conference

Date

18 September 2019

Decision

Carried

Conference notes:

1)2019 commemorates the 52nd anniversary of the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza

2)In 2017 research by War on Want showed that HSBC had invested over �800 million in, and provided syndicated loans worth up to �19 billion for, companies providing weapons and equipment to the Israeli military. These investments include approximately �100 million worth of shares in the company Caterpillar, which supplies the Israeli army with bulldozers.

3)HSBC is a target for �Stop Arming Israel�, a campaign run by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and War on Want

4)HSBC sponsors and funds Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Plus (LGBT+) pride events worldwide.

Conference further notes that HSBC is the main sponsor of Birmingham Pride, an event that seeks to promote equality for all, and that Aswat, a Palestinian LBT+ women�s group, have made a call for Birmingham Pride to drop HSBC as a sponsor until it ends its complicity with Israel�s arms trade. PSC has launched a campaign, in partnership with UK LGBT+ groups, which will continue until Birmingham Pride adheres to Aswat�s call.

Conference instructs the National Black Members Committee, working with the National LGBT+ Committee, National Executive Council and International Department as appropriate, to:

a)Support this campaign, and call on Birmingham Pride to drop HSBC as a sponsor

b)Continue to encourage Black members, branch and regional groups to take up appropriate actions in support of Palestinian rights

c)Continue campaigning to raise Black members awareness why not to go on holiday or make cultural or sporting visits to Israel

d)Continue to publicise the work of PSC, and urge Black members to join and to get their branches and regions to affiliate.

Conference

2020 National Black Members' Conference

Date

18 September 2019

Decision

Carried

Conference notes:

1)2019 commemorates the 52nd anniversary of the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza

2)In 2017 research by War on Want showed that HSBC had invested over �800 million in, and provided syndicated loans worth up to �19 billion for, companies providing weapons and equipment to the Israeli military. These investments include approximately �100 million worth of shares in the company Caterpillar, which supplies the Israeli army with bulldozers.

3)HSBC is a target for �Stop Arming Israel�, a campaign run by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and War on Want

4)HSBC sponsors and funds Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Plus (LGBT+) pride events worldwide.

Conference further notes that HSBC is the main sponsor of Birmingham Pride, an event that seeks to promote equality for all, and that Aswat, a Palestinian LBT+ women�s group, have made a call for Birmingham Pride to drop HSBC as a sponsor until it ends its complicity with Israel�s arms trade. PSC has launched a campaign, in partnership with UK LGBT+ groups, which will continue until Birmingham Pride adheres to Aswat�s call.

Conference instructs the National Black Members Committee, working with the National LGBT+ Committee, National Executive Council and International Department as appropriate, to:

a)Support this campaign, and call on Birmingham Pride to drop HSBC as a sponsor

b)Continue to encourage Black members, branch and regional groups to take up appropriate actions in support of Palestinian rights

c)Continue campaigning to raise Black members awareness why not to go on holiday or make cultural or sporting visits to Israel

d)Continue to publicise the work of PSC, and urge Black members to join and to get their branches and regions to affiliate.