Oxford College referred to regulator over FOI revelation of £1m+ investments in illegal Israeli settlements

London, 26th November 2024- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) has lodged a formal complaint with the Charity Commission regarding All Souls College, a constituent college of Oxford University, regarding its business interests in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). 

The complaint concerns £1,121,731.57 worth of investments maintained by All Souls College, revealed in a series of freedom of information (FOI) requests in July and August 2024.

The investments are in four companies that are included in the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights’ database of business enterprises involved in illegal Israeli settlements in the oPt. The complaint alleges that these specific investments are in violation of both domestic and international law, contravening UK Government policy and the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with regards to the illegality of Israeli settlements in the oPt under international law.

All Souls College is registered as a UK Charity under #1138057, meaning that it is subject to charity rules and is regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice issued an Advisory Opinion making it clear that States (and their public bodies) must prevent investments that further entrench the illegal situation created by Israel in the oPt.

The seven-figure investment portfolio is split across four companies complicit in Israeli settlements, including £239,725.29 in Airbnb, £613,613.16 in Booking Holdings, £7,761.18 in Expedia Group and £260,631.94 in Motorola Solutions Inc.

ICJP calls on the Charity Commission to investigate, as a matter of urgency, All Souls’ investments. Following an investigation, ICJP calls for the Charity Commission to take appropriate action including, but not limited to,providing guidance regarding charity investment in companies operating in illegal settlements.

ICJP Legal Officer Mira Naseer said:

“The International Court of Justice has been crystal clear on the illegality of Israeli settlements. Not that there was before, but there can be absolutely no excuse now for a British educational institution to remain financially complicit in illegal settlements.

This is yet another example of a university or college putting their finances above their educational duties and the Charity Commission must step in and provide guidance to charities that are making such investments.”

ENDS

ICJP is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law. 

For more information, to arrange an interview with an ICJP spokesperson, or for any other media enquiries, please contact the ICJP news desk at press@icjpalestine.com.