At the Axa General Assembly, pro-Palestinian activists accuse the insurer of being « accomplice of colonization and genocide in Gaza »-Liberation

«  »Genocide in GazaAXA accomplice ”. The slogan fuses, among others, in front of the Pleyel room. The performance hall of the 8th arrondissement of Paris welcomes this Thursday, April 24, the annual general meeting of French insurance company AXA. As part of the BDS international campaign (for « boycott, disinvestment and sanctions », launched 20 years ago already, and whose objective is to denounce foreign investments promoting Israeli colonization), around forty pro-Palestinian activists have led to a punch to denounce « Axa’s investments at least 150 million euros in eleven armament companies involved in the Israeli genocide in Gaza. »

Taken short, the police present in front of the building first tried to prevent the deployment of a banner « Do not provide Israeli apartheid »before finally letting the activists do. Representatives of the unions of the CGT 93 and 75, Solidaires or the Association Attac were present, as well as the deputy of France Insoumise Thomas Portes. « We denounce the companies accomplices of colonization and particularly of the genocide in Gaza », explains Jérôme Bonnard, national secretary of Solidaires.

« Axa protects women, except the Palestinian » also chanted the activists, in reference to a very recent group campaign, before broadcasting on the Megaphone a recording of bombing in Gaza. The activists also placed on the sidewalk small models wrapped in bloody white sheets, to represent Palestinian dead childrenbefore completing their action with a minute of silence. An operation that will have lasted half an hour to end in peace.

At the heart of the demands of pro-Palestinian activists: the firm’s investments in defense companies, whose weapons would be used in Gaza by the Israeli army. « These weapons include white phosphorus, uranium, nuclear weapons … Axa even violates its own ethical charter, says Imen Habib, host of the BDS France campaign. The International Court of Justice requests a military embargo, and Axa continues as if nothing had happened. It is a very serious bond and it is a scandal. ”

Benoit Martin, secretary general of the CGT Paris, was present to recall that « The CGT has supported the Palestinian cause for decades » While Ixa « Is an insurance company which is very invested in a number of financial investments aimed at helping the colonization of Palestinian lands ».

In the ranks of demonstrators was also the secretary general of the ATTAC association, Vincent Gay. For him, this action is a « Name and Shame ”(Name and shame, editor’s note). “Because these companies are very much due to their public image. It is not free denunciation. We want to make them act.  » « We also call Consumers to boycott companies in connection with the Israeli colonial company ”, launches the anti -globalization activist.

A position joined by the deputy Thomas Portes. “It is unacceptable for a company to invest in an army guilty of genocide in Gaza. LFI joined the BDS campaign a few months ago because we think the boycott is one of the important levers to act. The divestment had been effective in combating apartheid in South Africa ”, Recalls the rebellious elected official of the 3rd district of Seine-Saint-Denis.

An activist who had bought an action to be able to participate in the General Assembly (around forty euros), was able to question the management of the insurer on his investment policy. Antoine Gosset-Grainville, chairman of the AXA board of directors, defended the group saying that it was necessary « Not opposing responsible investment policy and investment in the sector in the defense ».

“We are away from all weapons prohibited by international treaties. On the other hand, we do not exclude engaging in the sectors which are authorized by having in mind that the strengthening of our defense tool is necessary to protect our freedoms. I can assure you that OXA is extremely vigilant to comply with the agreements in force ”, he added.

Contacted by Releasethe insurer recalls that « The AXA group has long been a responsible investment policy » and that he « Control its investments to guarantee their compliance with international sanctions lists ».

This pro-Palestinian mobilization was not the only one in front of the Axa General Assembly this Thursday. Activists accused the insurance giant of contributing to global warming. « We ask Axa to definitively turn the page of fossil fuels », AFP told Perrine Julien, spokesperson for the Nonviolent Action Movement COP21.

Union training, including the CFDT and FO, also awaited the shareholders in front of the Pleyel room and distributed leaflets requiring general increases, the payment of an exceptional bonus of 1,000 euros and the granting of 40 free shares to each employee.