Israel’s system of institutionalised racist discrimination against Palestinians, amounting to the crime against humanity of apartheid, can only be sustained because of weapons, technology and other support it receives from companies around the world.
PSC’s research has found that UK Universities collectively invest nearly £430m in companies complicit in Israeli violations of international law.
Here is a breakdown of The open University’s investments:
Total complicit investments: £3,319,660
Company: Albemarle Corp
Value of investments: £485,475
Albemarle Corporation is a US based chemicals manufacturer. It entered into a long-term supply arrangement with Israel Chemicals Ltd (ICL) to supply global flame-retardants. Israel Chemicals Ltd was the sole provider of white phosphorus to the US Army from 2008 to 2013. The US has supplied white phosphorus projectiles to the Israeli military which deployed them in its assault on the besieged Gaza Strip in 2009.
The supply arrangement means the product will be manufactured in ICL’s locations in Israel. ICL conducts business activity in, and with, illegal agricultural settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Babcock International- £135,109
Babcock International is a large British arms company. It works in partnership with Israeli arms companies including Elbit Systems, Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Between 2008 and 2021 Babcock applied to the British government for 12 arms export licenses to supply weapons, components, or military technology to Israel.
BAE Systems- £1,211,020
BAE Systems is a large British arms producer. As reported by Investigate, it manufacturer weapons and military technology used by Israel in its militarised attacks on Palestinians.
Barclays- £703,827
Barclays is a British multinational bank and financial services company. According to research released by PSC, War on Want and Campaign Against Arms Trade, it holds over £1bn in shares in, and provides financial services to, nine companies supplying Israel with weapons and military technology, used in its militarised violence against Palestinians.
Sony- £784,229
Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation. Its diversified business includes consumer and professional electronics, gaming, entertainment and financial services.
During a June 2018 field tour in the Old City of Jerusalem, Who Profits documented the use of Sony cameras as part of Israel’s surveillance system in the occupied area. At least six Sony cameras were installed at Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate. As part of its military occupation, Israel maintains a regime of intense surveillance against Palestinians in Jerusalem.
My demand is divestment from Israel.