RJI Leadership and Staff Statement on the Escalating Violence in Gaza

As the news of overwhelming violence and loss of Palestinian and Israeli life continues to be top of mind and heart, the leadership and staff of the Racial Justice Investing Coalition have put together calls to action for the investor community. We condemn the atrocities and the violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed both by Hamas and the Israeli state.

Racial justice is a vision of society where racial hierarchies no longer exist, and all people have the dignity, resources, power, and self-determination to fully thrive. Investors seeking to apply a racial justice framework must understand and address how systems of oppression, including settler colonialism and white supremacy, and human rights abuses present material risks to investors and companies. Investors have a responsibility to conduct heightened human rights due diligence of their respective portfolios, as called for by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (Guiding Principles) and OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD Guidelines). The Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines must be applied consistently and impartially across all investor work domestically and globally, including in Palestine/Israel. When companies we invest in do harm, so do we.

The suggestions below are non-exhaustive and do not necessarily reflect the views of participants in RJI’s programming. For detailed guidance on conducting business and investing in conflict-affected areas, check out this resource list compiled by the Investor Alliance for Human Rights.

Investors can engage their portfolio companies to:

1. Advocate for:

1. An immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and the immediate return of all civilians held hostage.

2. Restoring the flow of humanitarian access and aid, including food, water and medical supplies and assistance, to Gaza.

3. Lifting the siege on Gaza, including, but not limited to: the cutting off of water, electricity, fuel, internet, and basic services.

2. Adopt and disclose policies and practices that identify, assess, and address heightened human rights risks and impacts that are linked to their operations, products or services.

3. Where applicable, keep vital services (e.g., telecommunications) running in Gaza.

4. Where applicable, address instances of online hate speech, incitement and violent discourse. Additionally, take decisive and immediate action against the alarming levels of disinformation and misinformation that have been widely disseminated across online platforms, both on social media and messaging apps.

5. Not exploit the current escalation of violence for short-term financial profit.

6. Ensure corporate contributions are supporting lobbying and political spending efforts in alignment with their stated values and commitments on issues such as racial justice and human rights.

Investors can:

1. Adopt a human rights investment policy on all conflict-affected areas, including occupied territories, that is consistent with and based on the international human rights framework and international humanitarian law. Strengthen policies by making clear how and when tactics, such as shareholder engagement, should be used.
   

2. Understand and integrate analysis of the risks the Palestine/Israel conflict poses across legal, financial, commercial, and reputational outcomes, with an enhanced focus on companies in violation of international human rights and humanitarian law standards.