Write to the HESTA board and demand HESTA’s divestment from companies complicit with Israel’s illegal occupation.
Healthcare worker’s superfund HESTA is investing $212million into ten companies* that the United Nations has identified as complicit with Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine.
In September 2025, HESTA announced it would divest from Israeli banks and bonds, which is good! We should recognise their efforts, however they remain invested in a number of other complicit companies.
HESTA’s board is made up of representatives of both the unions and employer
organisations from across the healthcare and community services sector, as well as two independent directors. Two third’s of HESTA’s board are required to pass a decision.
If you are a member of one of the represented unions, always write to your union representative in the first instance. They are technically representing you and your colleagues on the board!
Otherwise, you are entitled to write to any board director as a HESTA member. Take a look at their respective bios, and pick the board member whose other experience resonates most with you.
Remember to:
- Be polite and use common sense. Board members are critical decision makers – we need to bring them onside, not alienate them, so be tactful in your language.
- Be specific and clear about your request. We are asking for divestment from the companies operating in the illegal settlements, listed in the 2016 UNHRC database. You can find specific details about HESTA’s complicit investments here.
- Make sure to issue your ultimatum – if you don’t see HESTA move on this issue in a reasonable timeframe, you’ll move to a fund that doesn’t invest in these businesses. The board needs to understand the reputational risk these investments hold.
- Try to appeal to shared values that both you and the board member may hold. Request a reply within a specified timeframe.
- Let them know that you are a HESTA member, and also a union member (if applicable).
What sort of things should I write about?
You should write the letter in your own words, but some things you might like to mention are:
- Introduce yourself, explain who you are, and why you care about Palestine.
- Talk about your employment, and why it is that your role as a nurse/doctor/mental health practitioner/etc means you cannot accept having your retirement savings invested into an illegal occupation.
- Talk about the human impacts of Israel’s occupation on Palestinians. Refer to stories you have heard, news articles, etc. Provide links and references.
- Outline why you think these investments are contradictory of HESTA’s brand as a super fund that cares about community, healthcare, women’s rights etc.
- Mention that you are concerned about the financial risk that these investments hold. Under international law, both Australia and corporations domiciled within Australia are legally obligated to not recognise Israel’s settlements as legal or legitimate, thus making these investments financially risky and potentially subject to sanctions and/or legal challenge.
- Mention that the companies HESTA is investing in are at risk of complicity of war crimes of forced displacement and population transfer.
- Mention the fact that other pension funds internationally in the UK, Norway, and New Zealand are all divesting from this list.
How can you make your letter more impactful?
- Can you get your colleagues, or other HESTA members to also sign the letter?
- Can you attach some resources for the board member to read?
- Can you publish the letter online for others to see?
Remember, you don’t need to be an expert, and we shouldn’t let perfection get in the way of progress. The most impactful thing will be if HESTA’s board members begin to receive lots of genuine communication from different people about this issue. Try not to get overwhelmed in the detail.
Once you’ve sent your letter, make sure to let us know how you went, and if you get a reply.