00:00Birmingham councillors have backed calls to review financial links to Israel.
00:06The proposal came from councillor Nusheen Khalid who called for a six-month review
00:12citing human rights concerns over the war in Gaza.
00:16The review would examine investments made by Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Pension Fund
00:22which invests money to help pay its members pensions.
00:26It would explore options for withdrawing from investments linked to Israel.
00:31Khalid, who is also the council's cabinet member for health and social care, told councillors
00:37where money goes, responsibility follows.
00:41There were cheers in the chamber when the motion was passed.
00:44The vote comes amid a separate dispute involving the parties in Birmingham's ruling coalition.
00:51That coalition was formed after May's elections when no party won an overall majority.
00:58Three Labour MPs have urged the Liberal Democrats to leave the partnership
01:03unless Green cabinet members disown their party's national policy, declaring Zionism a form of racism.
01:12Council leader Roger Harmut says he disagrees with that policy but remains committed to the coalition
01:18as long as its members stick to their partnership agreement.
01:22The Israel Investments Review would establish what links exist
01:26and what options the council has for ending them.
