On Wednesday, 6 December, dozens of activists from Fossil Free London assembled outside BP’s London headquarters to protest Israel’s approval of 12 new licences for natural gas exploration off the west coast of Gaza to six companies, including BP.
BP not only received this licence but is also set to acquire 50% of the Israeli Delek Group-owned NewMed, who have also been granted a licence. NewMed owns 45% of Leviathan, the largest gas field in the Mediterranean, situated off the coast of Israel.
Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip denies the besieged population access to natural resources within its waters, in violation of international law.
Activists held signs linking the oil and gas company to Israel’s continued bombardment of Gaza and shouted “stop fuelling genocide” as well as “profits from oil but none from aid, Gazan genocide is British made.”
While it didn’t stop business as usual, it did bring awareness to the situation plus voice frustration with it as well. When it’s David vs Goliath, David should take the small wins whenever possible.