Four Waverley councillors have signed a pledge accusing Israel of genocide in Palestine ahead of a council debate on ethical procurement and investment.

The councillors have backed the Palestine Solidarity Campaign's (PSC) Councillor Pledge for Palestine, which calls on elected representatives to support Palestinian rights and ensure their councils are not complicit in violations of international law.

The four signatories are Cllr Steve Williams (Green), representing Godalming Binscombe and Charterhouse; Cllr Daniel Husseini (Conservative), representing the same ward; Cllr Penny Rivers (Liberal Democrat), representing Godalming Farncombe and Catteshall; and Cllr Laura Cavaliere (Liberal Democrat), representing Milford and Witley.

The national campaign calls on councillors to uphold Palestinian rights, oppose what it describes as Israel's crimes of genocide and apartheid, and address council investments and procurement arrangements involving companies linked to the Israeli occupation.

According to the PSC, 1,728 councillors across Britain have signed the pledge.

Meanwhile, a motion titled Palestine, Human Rights, Ethical Procurement and Responsible Investment, submitted by Cllr Williams, is due to be considered at Waverley's full council meeting on Tuesday, November 10.

The motion highlights the “immense and continuing human suffering” of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, including deaths, displacement and the destruction of homes and essential infrastructure.

It also raises concerns about “the risk of contributing to serious violations of international law” through council spending and procurement.

The motion proposes reaffirming Waverley's commitment to ethical procurement and reviewing how its existing policies take account of human rights risks.

It also calls for the council to write to the Surrey Pension Fund and the incoming West Surrey Council about responsible investment.

The findings of any procurement review, along with representations made about investment, would be reported back to councillors.

While acknowledging that foreign policy is the responsibility of the UK Government, the motion argues that Waverley has a responsibility to ensure its own spending, procurement and investment activities reflect its legal and ethical obligations.