WHEREAS, In 2024 the International Court of Justice found it “plausible” that Israel has committed acts that violate the Genocide Convention and ordered Israel to “take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian aid”; and
WHEREAS, In July 2024, the International Court of Justice concluded that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories is illegal and further found that states have an obligation “to take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”; and
WHEREAS, On May 14, 2025, the United Nations Humanitarian Aid Coordinator called on world leaders to act immediately to prevent genocide in Gaza; and
WHEREAS, On September 16, 2025, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory declared that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and recommended that member states stop providing weapons and other military supplies to Israel; and
WHEREAS, In 2024, UAW signed on to the National Labor for Ceasefire petition for a ceasefire in Gaza; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State Investment Board (WSIB) manages pension funds, the state’s Graduated Education Tuition Fund, Long Term Care Tax, worker’s compensation and educational trusts, meaning that this body’s investment choices impact all Washingtonian workers, including members of UAW 4121; and
WHEREAS, under the direction of the WSIB, these funds are invested in dozens of companies that are contributing to and profiting from the Israeli campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, apartheid, and the illegal occupation of Palestinian land and are not responding to pressure to conform to international law; and
WHEREAS, WSIB’s fiduciary duty is to Washington state workers and residents. The WSIB hasn’t fully considered or communicated the risks of investing in companies violating international humanitarian law.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that UAW 4121 calls upon the Washington State Labor Council and MLK Labor Council to adopt the position as stated:
Washington State Investment Board must divest from companies contributing to the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, apartheid, and the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, including BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Palantir, Elbit Systems, Paz Oil, Caterpillar, and Raytheon, among others.
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that UAW 4121 will make public its support for Washington State Investment Board to divest completely from companies that consistently, knowingly, and directly enable genocide, ethnic cleansing, occupation, apartheid and other war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that UAW 4121 endorses the Cut Ties Campaign’s effort to encourage the divestment of the Washington State Investment Board from holdings in companies that profit from the ongoing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, and encourages other unions in the state to support this campaign for investment that aligns with the values of Washingtonians, the laws of the United States, and international laws.
Passed by UAW 4121 membership on October 16, 2025